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Mehluli Sibanda, Sports Editor 

HAVING already qualified for the semi-finals at the International Cricket Council Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier, Zimbabwe are looking to finish off their group matches on a high note when they clash with host nation United Arab Emirates under floodlights at the Tolerance Oval this evening.

The Lady Chevrons have started off the qualifier with two resounding wins, first by eight wickets over Papua New Guinea on Sunday and then thumped higher ranked Thailand by six wickets the next day to book a spot in the tournament’s semifinals. 

International Cricket Council

Zimbabwe, the favourites together with Bangladesh to win the tournament which concludes on Sunday are on top of Group B with four points, followed by Thailand on two points. Bangladesh lead the way in Group A with four points after wins over Ireland and Scotland, with the Scots in second spot. 

The Lady Chevrons have never been to any World Cup, something they are looking to bring to an end by securing one of the two tickets on offer at this qualifier to next year’s global showpiece in South Africa. Zimbabwe do not even need to win the qualifier, all they have to do is qualify for Sunday’s final as both finalists are guaranteed a place in Mzansi. 

Zimbabwean bowlers have done brilliantly thus far in the two matches to bowl out opponents for less than 90 runs. Left arm seamer Nomvelo Sibanda and 16-year-old Kelis Ndlovu, a left arm spinner have four wickets apiece. Ndlovu proved that she was a complete all-rounder with 46 runs off 40 deliveries opening the batting in the win over Thailand to walk away with the Player of the Match accolade. 

Her opening partner, Sharne Mayers picked up the same award against PNG after scoring 33 from 28 balls on a day Ndlovu was unbeaten on 25. 

The win over Thailand showed that the Mary-Anne Musonda-captained Lady Chevrons mean serious business in this tournament. Musonda and her group are still pained by missing the 2019 ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier held in Scotland, which was not their doing. Zimbabwe did the job by winning the Africa qualifier held in Harare to secure a ticket to Scotland but lost their place when the ICC suspended the country after the world cricket governing body deemed that action taken by the Sports and Recreation Commission to suspend the Tavengwa Mukuhlani-led Zimbabwe Cricket board was in violation of the world cricket body’s statutes. Namibia, a team that Zimbabwe had beaten in the Africa qualifier were brought in. 

Lady Chevrons

Bangladesh won the 2019 qualifier with Thailand the runners up. Since Zimbabwe have already defeated one of the finalists, chances are they will be in the final come Sunday, which should be welcomed with great joy by the Lady Chevrons. Gary Brent, the Lady Chevrons mentor is looking to emulate his former coach, Dave Houghton who led the men’s team to qualifying for next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia. — Follow on Twitter @Mdawini_29