The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
LEFT arm pace bowler, Richard Ngarava was the hero once again when Zimbabwe defended a low total, this time to win by five runs in a low scoring thriller in the fifth Twenty20 International cricket contest played at Bready Cricket Club in Londonderry, Northern Ireland yesterday.
Despite Zimbabwe’s win yesterday, Ireland took the five-match series 3-2. Zimbabwe started off the series well by winning the opener by three runs on 27 August, on a day when Ngarava defended six runs but lost three matches in a row to concede defeat in the five-match contest.
Yesterday, Ngarava was tasked with bowling the last over in which Ireland required nine runs and he conceded just three and effected a run out with the Irish all out for 119 in 20 overs.
Zimbabwe had earlier on posted 12/4 in 20 overs after they had won the toss and chosen to bat first. Skipper Craig Ervine was the top run scorer with an unbeaten 67 off 57 deliveries, an effort enough to see him walk away with the Man of the Match accolade. The next best score for Zimbabwe was a 23-ball 26 from Dion Myers.
If Zimbabwe were to be successful in defending such a low total, their bowlers had to bowl extremely well, something they did. The seamers were outstanding, with Luke Jongwe and Donald Tiripano picking up three wickets each. Ngarava had 1/14 in his four overs with a magnificent economy rate of 3.5 runs an over. Left arm spinner Wellington Masakadza also bowled a tidy three overs that cost 15 runs and picked up one wicket.
The two teams now move to the three match One Day International matches scheduled for Wednesday, Friday and next Monday, with all fixtures to take place in Belfast.
Meanwhile, the Mary-Anne Musonda captained Zimbabwe women’s cricket team is heading off to Botswana for the International Cricket Council Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier to be held from 9-19 September.
Zimbabwe have been drawn to face Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, Rwanda and Tanzania in the 11-team tournament. Cameroon, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Uganda make up the other group.
The Adam Chifo coached Lady Chevrons won the 2019 ICC Women’s Qualifier Africa when they defeated Namibia by 50 runs in the final played at Harare Sports Club. Unfortunately, the Lady Chevrons could not proceed to the Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier held in Scotland after Zimbabwe’s membership was suspended by the ICC.
Donald Tiripano and Wellington Masakadza celebrate a wicket against Ireland
Zimbabwe prepared for the tournament in Botswana with limited overs fixtures against Thailand played at Takashinga Cricket Club. The four-match 50 over series ended 2-2 while Thailand won the Twenty20 Internationals 2-1.
The team is leaving for Botswana in batches, with players departing on Tuesday and technical department the following day.
ZIMBABWE WOMEN SQUAD: Mary-Anne Musonda (captain), Christabel Chatonzwa, Chiedza Dhururu (wicketkeeper), Tasmeen Granger, Precious Marange, Audrey Mazvishaya, Esther Mbofana, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Modester Mupachikwa, Ashley Ndiraya, Josephine Nkomo, Lorraine Phiri, Nomvelo Sibanda, Loreen Tshuma
— @Mdawini_29
