ZIMBABWE Women’s cricket team edged Thailand Women by one wicket in a nail-biting first T20I played at Takashinga Sports Club in Highfield, Harare, this afternoon.
Mary-Anne Musonda called correctly at the toss and sent Thailand in.
The move paid dividends as Nattaya Boochtham was the first to go in the second over for just one run as Josephine Nkomo got her first wicket of the match.
Thailand found scoring very difficult as the Lady Chevrons bowling was disciplined up front.
Natthakan Chantham tried to up the run rate but was bowled by Audrey Mazvishaya for six runs from 19 balls.
Nannapat Koncharoenkai, the wicketkeeper batter, looked like she was batting on a different surface, scoring freely in the context of the match.
Naruemol Chaiwai, the mercurial Thailand captain, was dismissed for a golden duck, her second in successive games, Christabel Chatonzwa, the bowler on both occasions.
Koncharoenkai remained defiant as she tried to give her bowlers something to defend, eventually remaining unbeaten on 62 from 53 balls, including nine boundaries.
Thailand closed their innings on 104/4 in 20 overs.
Zimbabwe’s reply got to the worst possible start as Ashley Ndiraya was adjudged out leg before wicket for a duck in the first over.
Chasing a small total can be very difficult, but Modester Mupachikwa and former captain Chipo Mugeri shared a 49-run second-wicket stand before Mugeri was stumped by Koncharoenkai for a run-a-ball 30 off the bowling of Kamchomphu.
Zimbabwe lost their way when Mupachikwa was bowled through the gate by Suleeporn Naomi for 29 runs.
Thereafter the hosts lost five wickets for eight runs to give the Asians a sniff, but Chiedza Dhururu shepherded the tail, although wickets continued falling around her. It was a tense affair.
With Zimbabwe needing two runs for victory, Dhuru tried to go over the top and finish the game but was bowled by Boochatham for 15 runs. The Chevrons were nine down.
The game went down to the wire equation was simple for both teams, Zimbabwe needed two runs for victory, Thailand needed one wicket.
Nomvelo Sibanda held her nerves and hit a boundary to see her team home with three balls to spare.
