BY SPORTS REPORTER
ZIMBABWE underlined their intentions of winning the ICC Women’s Africa Qualifier 2019 tournament with a ruthless performance against Nigeria in their dead rubber group match at Old Hararians Sports Club yesterday to set up a potentially entertaining final against Namibia at Harare Sports Club today.
The national women’s cricket side went into yesterday’s final group match against the West Africans having already booked their place in the final against the Namibians following impressive wins over Mozambique, Tanzania and Rwanda last week.
Despite resting some key players in Modester Mupachikwa, Tasmeen Granger and Audrey Mazvishaya, the Lady Chevrons still did not hold back against Nigeria after effortlessly dismissing them for a paltry 35 runs in 12,1 overs before needing just 3,4 overs to seal an impressive 10-wicket victory.
Nomatter Mutasa was named player of the match after claiming four wickets for nine runs while Anesu Mushangwe chipped in with two wickets as Zimbabwe, who were also impressive in the field, got a morale booster ahead of today’s final game against Namibia.
Zimbabwe captain Mary-Anne Musonda said her charges were all set and ready for the final and they would not only be playing for a berth at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier in Scotland, but also for all Zimbabwean mothers as today’s match coincides with Mother’s Day.
“We know we are a good team, our batters are in form and our bowlers are also in form, so we are going to focus on playing smart, sensible cricket. The girls really want to win the final, they want to qualify and so we are confident about our mental capacity and fitness as well, so we are ready for it,” Musonda said.
She added: “Our plan remains the same, I think if anything we would want to make winning the final a Mother’s Day gift we hope all the mothers and girls will be there to represent all the women in Zimbabwe. We want to lift the flag high and be the pride of the nation and really give all the women a Mother’s Day gift.”
