Chronicle Editor
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE made a great start in the Namib Desert Women’s T20 Challenge when they defeated Namibia by six wickets with the victory achieved with 11 balls to spare in the first of five Twenty20 Internationals played at Sparta United Club in Walvis Bay yesterday.
Former captain, Chipo Tiripano top scored with an unbeaten 40 off 48 deliveries with opener Modester Mupachikwa second best with 20 while skipper Mary-Anne Musonda contributed 11 with the bat as Zimbabwe made 98 for the loss of four wickets in 18.1 overs.
Namibia batted first and could only manage 96-5 in 20 overs, their highest contribution with the bat coming from opener Adri van der Merwe who made 41. Pace bowler Josephine Nkomo was the star performer for Zimbabwe with ball in hand when she picked up three wickets for 12 runs in four overs.
The remaining matches in the series will be played on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday before the Zimbabwean women return home on Saturday.
Yesterday’s match was the first time that the Zimbabwean lasses were in action in almost a year, with the last time that they played against international opposition being in May 2018 when they took on Namibia, Tanzania and Uganda in the Women’s T20 Challenge held in Harare.
The win over Namibia must have impressed coach Adam Chifo as he prepares his team for the International Cricket Council T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier to be held in Harare in May.
Zimbabwe women’s cricket team for Namibia tour
Mary-Anne Musonda(captain), Chipo Tiripano, Ashley Ndiraya, Anesu Mushangwe, Sharne Mayers, Nomvelo Sibanda, Josephine Nkomo, Precious Marange, Modester Mupachikwa, Chiedza Mzembe, Loreen Phiri, Christabel Chatonzwa, Ellen Tshuma, Nomatter Mutasa
Coach: Adam Chifo
Assistant coach: Sinikiwe Mpofu
Team manager: Samkelisiwe Nkiwane
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