Tuskers Women – 94-7 in 20 overs (Tasmeen Granger 47, Natasha Mtomba 8, Regina Nyahi 7*; Rebecca Chikomborero 2/10, Ashley Ndiraya 1/13, Mary-Anne Musonda 1/19)
Rhinos Women – 93-6 in 20 overs (Mary-Anne Musonda 45, Ashley Ndiraya 22, Nomatter Mutasa 6; Tasmeen Granger 2/12, Anita Chisirimunhu 1/9, Lindakuhle Mabhero 1/19)
Tuskers Women won by one run
Tuskers pulled off the most unlikely of comebacks as they beat Rhinos by one run in a Women’s T20 Cup match at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Friday.
Having reached 89 for the loss of two wickets with over two overs to go, chasing a target of 95, it looked like Rhinos had it in the bag.
But then Bongani Munyanyi and Mary-Anne Musonda, on three and 45 respectively, both fell off successive balls in the 18th over – a run-out effected by Lindakuhle Mabhero and Anita Chisirimunhu accounted for the former, while Mabhero bowled the latter.
Still, at 90 for four, with 12 balls in hand, 95 still looked on.
Dana Ndiraya then fell halfway into the 19th over Kay Ndiraya two balls into the 20th.
Where Kelly Ndiraya and Paradza needed three runs off four balls, they could only muster one and the game was done.
Opener Ashley Ndiraya’s 22 earlier on was the only other notable score as Tuskers captain Nomvelo Sibanda saw the match out.
Sibanda said she was confident in her bowlers.
“I knew that the more dot balls we bowled the more pressure they would get. I knew that we would get a breakthrough somewhere, somehow,” she said after the match.
Tasmeen Granger was frugal in getting two wickets and conceding only 12 runs in four overs.
Even more so was Chisirimunhu, claiming one wicket and conceding nine runs in her four overs.
Rhinos were left to rue the 21 extras they conceded, 19 of them as wides.
Rhinos captain Nomatter Mutasa said that could have made a difference.
After all it was only Granger with 45 who got into double figures.
Rebecca Chikomborero with two wickets and conceding 10 runs was the pick of bowlers.
So too was Ashley Ndiraya who took one wicket conceding 13 runs.
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Mountaineers Women – 87-6 in 20 overs (Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano 27, Loryn Phiri 15, Pellagia Mujaji 14; Precious Marange 2/13, Leanne Chibunhe 2/17, Kellies Ndlovu 1/19)
Eagles Women – 88-6 in 17.3 overs (Kellies Ndlovu 19, Precious Marange 18, Modester Mupachikwa 13; Francesca Chipare 3/22, Loryn Phiri 1/13, Greatness Mutasa 1/15)
Eagles Women won by four wickets
Eagles made it three wins on the bounce as they inflicted more misery on the winless Mountaineers in the Women’s T20 Cup, beating them by four wickets at Mutare Sports Club on Friday.
Having chosen to bowl first, Eagles restricted the Eastern Highlands side to 87 for the loss of six wickets in their 20 overs.
An opening partnership of 45 between Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano and Loryn Phiri looked to have set Mountaineers up well.
Precious Marange broke the stand when she had Phiri caught behind for 15.
In the next over, Mugeri Tiripano followed her, trapped leg before by Christabel Chatonzwa on 27.
In the over after that Francesca Chipare was the next to depart having only made one and suddenly 45 for nought was 55 for three.
With just under half the match to go, Eagles turned the screws in with Pellagia Mujaji’s 14 and Nyasha Gwanzura’s 11 the only notable scores.
Marange, with a return of two wickets for 13 runs, and Leanne Chibunhe, with two for 17, were the standout bowlers.
In response, a late wobble could not stop Eagles from getting to 88 for the loss of six wickets in 17.3 overs.
Esther Mbofana held her nerve to make an unbeaten 12 to build on the earlier work by the other batters.
Kellies Ndlovu top-scored with 19 while Marange hit an almost run-a-ball 18.
Chipare continued with her bowling exploits, grabbing three and conceding 22.
Phiri took one for 13.
Mountaineers captain Mujaji insists there is no crisis after three losses on the bounce, saying: “I think we can still get it right. It is only a matter of us implementing the good things we have been doing when we started the competition.
“I think where we are not getting it right is building partnerships and keeping the scoreboard ticking. That will give us a good score.”
Eagles captain Modester Mupachikwa said she is confident her team can go all the way.
She said: “My team have my back and we are doing everything right.”
