Zimbabwe Women defeated the United States of America (USA) Women by five wickets in their first match of the Women’s T20I Quadrangular Series played at the ICC Academy in Dubai on Saturday.
After being put in to bat first, the USA Women made 111 in 19.3 overs.
Brilliant work in the field by Zimbabwe Women saw them execute a massive six run-outs in the innings.
Left arm seamer Nomvelo Sibanda was impressive with the ball after claiming three wickets for 20 runs while spinner Kelis Ndlovu chipped in with a wicket.
In reply Zimbabwe lost their first three wickets inside the first six overs with just 44 runs on the board.
However the experienced duo of Mugeri-Tiripano and Josephine Nkomo then took it upon themselves to rebuild the innings, rotating the strike well and capitalising on bad balls and misfields.
They seemed set to take Zimbabwe Women across the line until Mugeri-Tiripano was caught by Vaghela off the bowling of Taranum Chopra, bringing to an end their 54-run partnership.
She had scored 37 runs, including five fours, off 37 balls and when she departed at 103 for four in the 15th over, nine more runs were needed for victory.
Pellagia Mujaji came in hoping to finish off the game but perished to the first ball she faced in the very same over, caught at the wicket.
However, there was to be no further damage as Nkomo, with 26 not out, and Christabel Chatonzwa, seven not out, took Zimbabwe Women home with 28 balls to spare.
Sibanda, with three wickets for 20 runs off her four overs, was adjudged the player of the match.
The other two sides in the quadrangular series are Thailand Women and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Women, with the four teams using the tournament as part of their final preparations for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2022 scheduled for 18-25 September in the UAE.