Zimbabwe are out of the running for a maiden berth at the ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup after losing to the Netherlands by 14 runs in a Group B Qualifier match on Wednesday.
Opting to bat first, Netherlands lost key batter Iris Zwilling early to a direct-hit at the non-striker’s end, but Sterre Kalis and Babette de Leede rebuilt with a watchful stand.
The partnership began slowly as Netherlands ambled along to 29 in the first six overs. Kalis opened up with back-to-back fours off Josephine Nkomo and looked in ominous touch.
Sharne Mayers was brought into the attack in the 13th over and struck off her first delivery when she cleaned up de Leede for 37 to break the stand.
Francis Chipare doubled it up with the wicket of Kalis two overs later, trapped in front for 34 off 37 balls.
Netherlands added 42 runs in the last five overs with Robine Rijke leading the charge. She remained unbeaten on 39 off 25 balls to give the innings the late push it badly needed.
In reply, Modester Mupachikwa led Zimbabwe’s fight from the top. But Netherlands struck at the other end, sending back three batters inside the Powerplay.
Frederique Overdijk, Silver Siegers and Zwilling took a wicket apiece as Zimbabwe were reduced to 29/3. Caroline de Lange added another after the Powerplay, dismissing Ashley Ndiraya.
Nkomo and Mupachikwa resurrected the innings with a solid partnership but with Netherlands maintaining impeccable discipline with the ball, the runs weren’t coming as quickly as they would have wanted.
Zimbabwe needed 52 in the last five overs to win, but could manage 37 more and finished on 121/4 despite the Nkomo-Mupachikwa pair remaining unbeaten.
Netherlands completed a 14-run win to make it two wins in three games in the tournament.
Scores in brief
Netherlands 135/6 (20) beat Zimbabwe 121/4 (20) by 14 runs