adminTHE Zimbabwe women national cricket team made an emphatic start at the International Cricket Council World Twenty20 Qualifier when they downed China by a massive 10 wickets at the Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok, Thailand yesterday.
The Chipo Mugeri-captained side won the toss and managed to restrict the Chinese to 88 for the loss of five wickets in 20 overs. There was one wicket each for Josephine Nkomo, Precious Marange and Mugeri. Captain Huang Zhuo top scored for China with 24 runs from 28 deliveries while Zhao Ning was second best with a knock of 22 runs.
In their run chase, Zimbabwe did not lose any wicket on their way to scoring 89 runs in 18.2 overs. Mugeri led from the front with 51 runs not out from 61 balls with his opening partner Modester Mupachikwa also unbeaten on 33 runs scored off 49 deliveries.
Next up for the Trevor Phiri-coached side is a fixture against Netherlands this morning before Zimbabwe round off their group matches against Ireland on Tuesday.
The teams that make it to the final of the eight-team qualifier will book their place at the 2016 ICC World T20 set for India.
At the last qualifiers staged in Ireland in 2013, Zimbabwe finished sixth and were demoted to the regional competition staged in South Africa from where they came out tops in December last year.
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter