Match Summary
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Division One Qualifier – Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
Zimbabwe Women won by 5 wickets (14 balls remaining)
Uganda Women 119/7 in 20 overs
Janet Mbabazi – 29 (23)
Immaculate Nakisuuyi – 26 (21)
Zimbabwe Women 120/5 in 17.4 overs
Modester Mupachikwa – 25 (25)
Nyasha Gwanzura – 17 (6) & 2/17 (4) Player of the Match
Zimbabwe Women booked their place in the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Division One Qualifier and also the Global Qualifiers in Nepal with a five-wicket win over Uganda Women at the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek.
After winning the toss, Zimbabwe elected to bowl first, a decision that proved effective as Uganda were restricted to 119/7 in 20 overs.
Captain Janet Mbabazi led from the front with 29 runs off 23 balls, while Immaculate Nakisuuyi added 26 from 21 deliveries. Despite their efforts, regular wickets and disciplined Zimbabwean bowling prevented Uganda from accelerating in the final overs.
Nyasha Gwanzura stood out with the ball, returning figures of 2/17 in four overs, while Lindokuhle Mabhero also picked up two wickets.
Chasing 120, Zimbabwe made a steady start through openers Modester Mupachikwa (25 off 25) and Kelis Ndhlovu (18 off 31), who put on 46 runs for the first wicket. Uganda fought back in the middle overs, reducing Zimbabwe to 86/4, but the lower order ensured there was no upset.
Gwanzura once again made the difference, smashing 17 off six balls, including two sixes, to swing momentum firmly back in Zimbabwe’s favour. She was well supported by Beloved Biza (16 off five balls), whose late flourish sealed victory with 14 balls to spare.
Uganda’s bowlers had kept the game alive until the 17th over, when Gwanzura and Biza plundered 28 runs off Sarah Akiteng’s over to end any hopes of a dramatic finish.
Zimbabwe reached the target in 17.4 overs, finishing on 120/5, with Gwanzura deservedly named Player of the Match for her all-round contribution.
The Victoria Pearls will reflect on missed opportunities while they prepare to face Tanzania in the third-place playoff. Tanzania defeated Uganda by one run in their first encounter in this tournament.
Their campaign also ended in utter misery after losing to hosts Namibia by 8 wickets (with 37 balls remaining).
Namibia and Zimbabwe are the two countries that have progressed to the final, but also the Global ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers in Nepal next year.
