Online Reporter
Blessing Malinganiza
Zimpapers Sports Hub
VISITORS United Arab Emirates fought back to post a 45-run win over Zimbabwe in women’s One Day International cricket match at Queens Sports Club yesterday.
UAE’s win helped them level the series at 2-2.
Zimbabwe had looked to clinch the series after taking a 2-1 lead.
But a captain’s knock off 82 from Esha Oza steered the Asians to a competitive total of 274/7, setting the stage for a collective bowling effort that secured a decisive victory in the fourth ODI.
After Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bowl, seeking to clinch the series, they were met with staunch resistance from the UAE top order.
Oza, the linchpin of the innings, displayed immense patience and fortitude, weathering 95 deliveries in a masterclass of accumulation under pressure.
She forged a solid foundation with Theerta Satish, who contributed a valuable 66 from 99 balls in a partnership that blunted the Zimbabwean attack.
Just as Oza looked to accelerate, her innings was cut short at 82 by a Francesca Chipare delivery, with Tendai Makusha taking the crucial catch.
However, the platform was set.
Vital, quick-fire contributions from the middle order, Rinitha Ranjith (26), Heena Hotchandani (25), and a blistering 18 from 17 balls by Samaira Dhanidharka, propelled UAE to a formidable finish.
While Loreen Tshuma was the pick of Zimbabwe bowlers with 2/42, the pressure was built and maintained by the entire attack, with others chipping in with crucial wickets at regular intervals to stifle the visitors’ momentum.
Facing a challenging target, Zimbabwe’s chase never found fluency against a disciplined UAE bowling unit.
The Lady Chevrons’ innings imploded from the start, with Kellies Ndlovu bowled for a duck by the all-rounder Dhanidharka, caught by Satish.
While Mordester Mupachikwa and bowler Loreen Tshuma contributed 32 runs each, they struggled to build meaningful resistance against the relentless UAE attack.
The only serious fight came from a defiant Josephine Nkomo and Loryn Phiri.
Nkomo’s classy 76 from 98 deliveries, partnered with Phiri’s brisk 48 from 60, offered Zimbabwe a flicker of hope.
However, the UAE attack proved too deep.
The wicket-taking burden was shared equally, with Oza, the influential Dhanidharka, and Suraksha Kotte each claiming two wickets to systematically dismantle the lineup and extinguish the chase.
