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Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter

ZIMBABWE came agonisingly close to qualifying for the International Cricket Council Women’s T20 World Cup when they fell by four runs to Ireland at the Sheik Zayed Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates today.

 After electing to bowl first, the Lady Chevrons restricted Ireland to 137-7 in 20 overs and in their chase they could only manage 133-6 which marked the end of the team’s World Cup dream after an impressive run prior to the semi-final.

 The Lady Chevrons were looking to make their first ever World Cup appearance, however it was not meant to be.

 Nomvelo Sibanda was the pick of the bowlers for the Lady Chevrons finishing with figures of 2-24 in her four overs while 16-year-old left arm spinner Kelis Ndlovu finished with 2-38 in her four overs as well.

 Orla Prendergast had the most runs for Ireland finishing with 28 runs off 25 deliveries while Rebecca Stokell finished on an unbeaten 26 runs.

 Zimbabwe dropped four catches in the Ireland innings.

 Opening batter, Sharne Mayers top scored for the Lady Chevrons in the chase finishing with 39 runs off 36 deliveries whilst captain Mary-Anne Musonda finished with 31 runs off 29 balls, however a slow start with the bat proved costly for the Gary Brent coached team.

 With 15 runs to win required in the final over, Josephine Nkomo and Precious Marange in the middle, they only managed to score 11 runs, falling just four runs from a ticket to South Africa next year. Nkomo finished with an unbeaten 18 runs from 13 balls.

 Jane Maguire and Arlene Kelly took two wickets each for Ireland.

 After failing to qualify in 2019, the Lady Chevrons who were high flying were looking to making their maiden World Cup qualification but however the wait still continues.

 The eight edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup is scheduled for 9-26 February 2023 after it was moved from its original slot at the end of this year. -@brandon_malvin