Zimbabwe Women announced their intentions early at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier 2025, dismantling hosts Namibia Women by 32 runs in a commanding display in Windhoek on Sunday.
Put in to bat, Zimbabwe posted a competitive 133 for five in 20 overs, powered by a captain’s innings from Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, who remained unbeaten on 39 off 31 balls, striking four boundaries.
Openers Chiedza Dhururu and Kelis Ndhlovu gave Zimbabwe a solid start, putting on 35 for the first wicket in six overs.
Ndhlovu was dismissed for 23, while Dhururu made 18 before departing in the 10th over, leaving Zimbabwe at 57 for two.
After quick wickets fell in the 13th over – Loreen Tshuma caught for nine and Nyasha Gwanzura out first ball – Mugeri-Tiripano steadied the innings.
She then shared a 43-run partnership with Beloved Biza, who scored 22 off 19 balls with four boundaries, helping propel the total to 118 before Biza was bowled.
Zimbabwe closed their innings at 133 for five.
Sune Wittmann was the hosts’ most successful bowler, taking two for 11 in four overs.
Namibia’s chase began with promise.
Kayleen Green struck three boundaries but was caught by Biza off Lindokuhle Mabhera for 12 in the fourth over.
Wittmann (23) and Yasmeen Khan (21) then put together a 34-run stand, offering hope, but Zimbabwe struck back decisively.
Tshuma removed Wittmann in the 10th over, caught and bowled, and had Khan caught by Francisca Chipare in the 14th over, reducing Namibia to 68 for four.
In the 15th over, Namibia were reeling at 71 for five after Mezerly Gorases was caught by Nkomo off the bowling of Nyasha Gwanzura for one.
Three balls later, Biza dismissed Eddelle van Zyl for five.
In the following over, Gwanzura struck a double blow – bowling Jurrienne Diergaardt for nought and trapping Sylvia Shihepo for a golden duck – leaving Namibia in deep trouble at 79 for eight, needing 55 runs from 3.1 overs with just two wickets remaining.
Wilka Mwatile hit the game’s only six and two fours but it was too little too late, finishing unbeaten on 24 off 14 balls as Namibia’s innings ended at 101 for eight in 20 overs, handing Zimbabwe a 32-run victory.
Gwanzura finished with remarkable figures of three wickets for just four runs in four overs, while Tshuma claimed three for 24.
Next up, Zimbabwe will face Sierra Leone this Monday morning in their second match before wrapping up their group fixtures against Nigeria on Wednesday.
Zimbabwe are drawn in Group A alongside Namibia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, while Group B features Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Rwanda.
The top two sides from each group will qualify for the semi-finals on 4 September.
The two finalists will not only contest the trophy on 6 September but also secure their spots at the Global Qualifier in Nepal early next year.
Share Your Comments