BY DANIEL NHAKANISO
THE Zimbabwe national women’s cricket team’s shortcomings with the bat were once again laid bare as the touring Bangladesh side cruised to a comfortable nine-wicket victory with 153 balls to spare in their second one-day international (ODI) at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo yesterday.
The win also meant that Bangladesh, who won the first ODI by eight wickets, have clinched the three-match ODI series 2-0 ahead of tomorrow’s final match of the series.
Both teams are using the tournament to prepare for the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier which begins in Harare on November 21.
However, judging from the results in the first two matches, Zimbabwe will need a much-improved batting performance to stand any chance of being competitive against the top women’s teams in the global qualifier.
After being bundled out for 48 runs inside 23 overs in the first game, the Lady Chevrons yet again found the going tough with the bat as they never recovered after losing debutant Sharne Mayers off her very first delivery of the innings. In the end, they reached 121 runs in 46.4 overs.
Nyasha Gwanzura top-scored for Zimbabwe with 35 from 81 deliveries, batting at number seven, while wicketkeeper batter Modester Mupachikwa chipped in with 33 runs.
The duo of skipper Mary-Anne Musonda (10) and Christabel Chatonzwa (14) got starts, but lost their wickets in quick succession.
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Chasing a modest total of 121, Bangladesh needed unbeaten fifties from Murshida Khatun and Fargana Hoque to cruise to a comfortable nine-wicket victory.
Esther Mbofana claimed the early wicket of Sharmin Akhter (8) in the fourth over, but opener Murshida and Fargana strung together an unbeaten 115-run stand between them to ensure the Tigresses romp to victory without any more hitches in just 24.3 overs.
Murshida remained unbeaten for a 65-ball 51, featuring eight boundaries, while Fargana struck seven fours during her 53 off 68 not out.
