Zimbabwe Women bounced back from their opening loss to clinch a historic four-wicket victory against the West Indies at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday. This maiden ODI triumph for the hosts levelled the three-match series at 1-1, as they chased down the target with 55 balls remaining. Registering their first win over West Indies and levelling the three-match contest 1-1, the hosts got to the target with 55 balls to spare. However, she found little support thereafter as Zimbabwe’s bowlers kept chipping away.
After opting to bat first, the West Indies struggled to build momentum. Although captain Hayley Matthews managed 26 off 35 balls, her dismissal to Nyasha Gwanzura ignited a collapse that reduced the visitors to 68/5. Gwanzura finished with impressive figures of 4-33, while Michelle Mavunga (3-36) and Francisca Chipare (2-16) maintained the pressure. Veteran Stafanie Taylor offered brief resistance with 47, but the team was eventually bowled out for 139 in 39.3 overs. But responded with a much-improved bowling display after West Indies opted to bat, the hosts had been beaten by 99 runs in the opening ODI courtesy of Hayley Matthews’ record-breaking 182. West Indies soon slipped to 88 for 7 in the 24th over and veteran Stafanie Taylor needed to offer much-needed resistance to give the total some respectability. And only a 26-run stand for the final wicket even took West Indies to 139, taylor was eventually dismissed for 47. They were bowled out with more than 10 overs to spare.
The Zimbabwe chase was anchored by wicketkeeper-batter Modester Mupachikwa, who struck 38 off 57 deliveries and shared a solid opening partnership with Kelis Ndhlovu. Despite a mid-innings wobble that saw the hosts slip to 105/5, captain Josephine Nkomo provided the necessary composure. Scoring 30 off 58 balls, Nkomo steered the innings alongside Gwanzura, who remained unbeaten on 18 to guide her side home. Hitting seven fours, and shared a half-century opening partnership with Kelis Ndhlovu, the keeper-bat made 38 off 57 balls.
The victory marks a significant turning point for Zimbabwe following their 99-run defeat in the series opener. The series decider now looms as both teams look to clinch the trophy. Brief scores: West Indies 139 all out (Stafanie Taylor 47; Nyasha Gwanzura 4-33, Michelle Mavunga 3-36) lost to Zimbabwe 140/6 (Modester Mupachikwa 38, Josephine Nkomo 30, Kelis Ndhlovu 30; Ashmini Munisar 2-15) by four wickets.
