Zimbabwe skipper Mary-Anne led from the front with an unbeaten half-century, helping her side to a six-wicket victory over Tanzania in their opening match of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier Africa regional tournament in Gaborone, Botswana on Friday.
Musonda saved her team from early blushes when she arrived at the crease in the fifth over Zimbabwe two down with just nine runs on the board.
She looked assured at the crease taming the threat caused by Nasra Saidi, who took 2 wickets for 9 runs in her three overs.
Runs began to flow from Musonda’s bat and Modester Mupachikwa as they chased down Tanzania’s score of 103.
The pair combined for a third-wicket partnership of 80 before Mupachikwa fell 8 runs shy of a half-century, with Zimbabwe still needing 15 runs for victory.
Musonda ensured there was no drama towards the end as she got to a half-ton and was there when the winning runs were scored. Her unbeaten knock consisted of five boundaries, and when she was batting with Mupachikwa, they ran singles and twos.
Zimbabwe’s victory was built on a clinical bowling display as the bowlers decimated Tanzania for 103 in 19.4 overs.
Loryn Phiri was the pick of the Lady Chevrons bowlers retaining figures of 4 for 12 in her four overs. She was ably supported by Nomvelo Sibanda, who took 2 for 11 in 2.4 overs.
Zimbabwe are looking at advancing to the semi-finals by winning Group A that has Tanzania, the hosts Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique and Rwanda.
The winners of the 11-team regional competition will progress to the global qualifying contest for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 to be played in South Africa.
The way the tournament is structured doesn’t give the team’s any breathing space. Zimbabwe face Eswatini Botswana, Mozambique and Rwanda in the other group matches scheduled for 11, 12, 13 and 16 September, respectively.
The semi-finals involving the top two teams from each group are set for 17 September, with the third-place playoff and final pencilled in for 19 September.
