Zimbabwe Women edge UAE Women by 3 wickets

ASHLEY DUBE

UAE Women: 93 all out in 17 overs (Esha Oza 34, Theertha Satish 30; Kudzai Chigora 5/7, Beloved Biza 3/9)

Zimbabwe Women: 94/7 in 19.2 overs (Josephine Nkomo 30*; Heena Hotchandani 2/10)

Teenage star Kudzai Chigora produced an excellent bowling performance, leading the Lady Chevrons to a nerve-wrecking three-wicket victory over UAE Women in the first match in the ongoing Capricorn tri-series match in Namibia.

Image: Zimbabwe Cricket 

Put into bat, UAE struggled against a disciplined Zimbabwean bowling attack, being bowled out for a paltry 93 in just 17 overs. Esha Oza top-scored with 34 off 38 balls, and Theertha Satish added a quick 30 off 18 balls, but the rest of the lineup fell cheaply.

Chigora was the star with the ball, claiming a remarkable five for seven in her four overs, including a maiden. Beloved Biza also did well taking three for nine, dismantling UAE’s batting order.

Zimbabwe's chase, however, was far from smooth. The Lady Chevrons found themselves in deep trouble at four for three within the first two overs. 

Contributions from Beloved Biza (18) and Josephine Nkomo, who anchored the innings with an unbeaten 30 off 25 balls, proved crucial. 

Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Nkomo and Tawananyasha Marumani (13 not out) held their nerves, guiding Zimbabwe to 94 for seven in 19.2 overs to seal the win.