THE Zimbabwe women’s cricket team qualified for the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Twenty20 qualifiers to be held in Thailand next year, after finishing top at the continental qualifiers in in Benoni, South Africa, yesterday. SPORTS REPORTER
Zimbabwe finished top of the standings after their ICC Pepsi Africa Women’s Trophy final against Tanzania was rained off, confirming them as the champions after sharing a point each.
The top four teams at the Global qualifiers in Thailand will proceed to the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 tournament which will be held in India in March 2016.
Yesterday, Zimbabwe faced Namibia in the morning match and they batted first, posting a competitive 150 for four in their allotted 20 overs.
Skipper Chipo Mugeri, by far the best batting talent in the team, yet again shone like a beacon in her knock of 68 runs.
Modester Mupachikwa chipped in with a handy 44.
Namibia’s response never found any momentum, with wickets falling at regular intervals, eventually managing just 102 for five in their 20 overs.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers were stingy with runs, with Audrey Mazvishaya (2/19) and Precious Marange (1/15) leading the onslaught.
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Zimbabwe’s afternoon match was against Tanzania, who had pulled a surprise by beating the formidable South Africa Invitation XI team. Tanzania batted first and were bowled out for 61 runs inside 19.4 overs.
All-rounder Precious Marange claimed three wickets for 14 runs, while Thando Mlilo also contributed with three wickets of her own for just 16 runs.
Zimbabwe’s run chase was not smooth sailing with four wickets falling, but Lorraine Tshuma (24*) and Precious Marange (14*) steadied the ship to ensure a six-wicket win over Tanzania.
Six teams competed in the tournament namely Kenya, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe and the South Africa Invitational XI, who have already qualified for the global cricket showcase.
Zimbabwe will head to Thailand bidding to qualify for the global Twenty20 showcase for the first time after finishing fifth at the 2013 qualifiers in Ireland. Results:
Zimbabwe — 150 for 4 in 20 overs (Chipo Mugeri 68, Modester Mupachikwa 44; I. Van Zyl 3/32)Namibia — 102 for 5 in 20 overs (C. Esterhuysen 22; Audrey Mazvishaya 2/19, Precious Marange 1/15) — Zimbabwe won by 48 runs. Tanzania — 61 all out in 19.4 overs (M. Iddi 28; Precious Marange 3/14, Thando Mlilo 3/16) Zimbabwe — 63 for 4 in 10.4 overs (Lorraine Tshuma 24*, Precious Marange 14*, M. Shakim 2/15) — Zimbabwe won by six wickets. Zimbabwe — 88 for 7 in 20 overs (Precious Marange 25*, Chipo Mugeri 19; Akona Nyiki 2/16, Ayabonga Khaka 2/11) SA Invitational XI — 89 for 4 in 18 overs (Andrie Steyn 25, Nikita Sole 19; Josephine Nkomo 3/13, Christabel Chatonzwa 1/13) — SA Invitational XI won by 6 wickets. Kenya — 61 for 5 in 20 overs (Sylvia Kinyua 18*; Esther Mbofana 1/10, Audrey Mazvishaya 1/14) Zimbabwe — 62 for 1 in 10.2 overs (Ashley Ndiraya 27*, Chipo Mugeri 18; S. Bhakita 1/24) Zimbabwe won by 9 wickets. Uganda — 70 for 8 in 20 overs (N. Kayondo 13; Tasmeen Granger 3/18, Esther Mbofana 2/11), Zimbabwe — 72 for 1 in 12.4 overs (Chipo Mugeri 49*, Modester Mupachikwa 16; C Aweko 1/25) — Zimbabwe won by 9 wickets.
