Match Summary:
- Venue: Gahanga 1, Kigali
- Date: September 22, 2024
- Match: Zimbabwe vs Malawi
- Result: Zimbabwe won by 144 runs
Zimbabwe kicked off their ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifiers 2024 campaign in emphatic fashion, thrashing Malawi by 144 runs. After electing to bat first, Zimbabwe posted an imposing total of 195/2 in their 20 overs, led by outstanding batting performances from Beloved Biza and Kelis Ndhlovu. In reply, Malawi was bowled out for just 51 runs in 13 overs, with Zimbabwe’s bowlers, particularly Biza, delivering a clinical performance.
Toss and First Innings:
Malawi won the toss and opted to field, hoping to restrict Zimbabwe. However, the Zimbabwean openers had different plans. Beloved Biza stole the show with a superb knock of 86 off 57 balls (15 fours), while her opening partner Kelis Ndhlovu contributed a stellar 78 off 52 balls (9 fours, 1 six). Together, they laid a solid foundation with a 100-run opening partnership, putting Malawi under immense pressure. Despite a brief rain delay, Zimbabwe’s momentum remained intact as they raced to 195/2 in 20 overs.
- Key Milestones in Zimbabwe’s Innings:
- Zimbabwe reached 50 runs in just 5.3 overs.
- Beloved Biza notched her half-century off 37 balls with 9 boundaries.
- Zimbabwe reached 100 runs in 12.1 overs, and Biza and Ndhlovu continued to pile on the runs.
- Kelis Ndhlovu reached her fifty off 43 balls with 6 boundaries.
- Zimbabwe’s innings ended at 195/2, with Biza and Ndhlovu setting the platform for a mammoth total.
Second Innings:
Malawi struggled to respond to Zimbabwe’s high total, collapsing to 51 all out in just 13 overs. Zimbabwe’s star performer Beloved Biza was unstoppable with the ball as well, taking an impressive 5 wickets for 5 runs in her 2 overs. She was well supported by Christina Mutasa, who chipped in with 2 wickets for 6 runs in 2 overs.
- Key Bowling Performances:
- Beloved Biza: 2.0 overs, 5 wickets for 5 runs, economy rate of 2.50.
- Christina Mutasa: 2.0 overs, 2 wickets for 6 runs, economy rate of 3.00.
- Olinder Chare: 3.0 overs, 1 wicket for 5 runs, economy rate of 1.67.
Match Timeline:
- Start: The match began at 09:28 AM with Zimbabwe batting first.
- Rain Delay: A brief rain interruption occurred with Zimbabwe at 26/0 in 2.3 overs.
- Zimbabwe Milestones: Zimbabwe reached 50 runs in 5.3 overs, and 100 runs in 12.1 overs.
- Zimbabwe Innings Break: Zimbabwe finished on 195/2 after 20 overs.
- Malawi Innings: Malawi struggled to build momentum and were bowled out for 51 runs in 13 overs, with only Mercy Kudimba offering some resistance with 21 runs off 37 balls.
Best Performers:
- Zimbabwe Batters:
- Beloved Biza: 86 runs (57 balls), strike rate of 150.88.
- Kelis Ndhlovu: 78 runs (52 balls), strike rate of 142.31.
- Malawi Batters:
- Mercy Kudimba: 21 runs (37 balls), strike rate of 56.76.
- Zimbabwe Bowlers:
- Beloved Biza: 5 wickets for 5 runs in 2 overs.
- Christina Mutasa: 2 wickets for 6 runs in 2 overs.
- Malawi’s Struggles:
- Mercy Kudimba was the top scorer for Malawi with 21 runs, but no other batter could withstand Zimbabwe’s bowling onslaught.
