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Zimbabwe Women – 108-6 in 20 overs (Precious Marange 40, Loreen Tshuma 22*, Ashley Ndiraya 13; Irene Alumo 2/13, Stephani Nampiina 2/22, Concy Aweko 1/15)

Uganda Women – 94 all out in 20 overs (Immaculate Nakisuuyi 18, Racheal Ntono 14, Prosscovia Alako 12*; Esther Mbofana 3/16, Tasmeen Granger 2/16, Precious Marange 1/8)

Zimbabwe Women won by 14 runs

PRECIOUS Marange starred with both bat and ball as Zimbabwe Women beat Uganda Women by 14 runs to make it into the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier Africa in Botswana.

Zimbabwe Women won the toss and chose to bat but were soon under pressure as two quick wickets fell for just 10 runs.

Chiedza Dhururu, who scored three runs, was caught by Prosscovia Alako off the bowling of Ireen Alumo in the third over.

In the next over, Mary-Anne Musonda went out for a golden duck as Zimbabwe Women slumped to 10 for two.

Wickets continued to tumble, with few runs being put on the board as Uganda Women piled on the pressure.

Pellagia Mujaji, playing her first match of the tournament, was out for nine runs in the eighth over, with Stephani Nampiina claiming the wicket.

The same bowler was at it again in the 12th over, as she had Ashley Ndiraya caught for 13.

With pressure mounting to score runs, Josephine Nkomo was run out on 12 by Nampiina, leaving Zimbabwe Women reeling at 44 for five.

Precious Marange came in with clear intent to push the scoreboard and she hit an impressive 40, including three sixes and three fours, off 25 balls.

She was dismissed in the final over by Concy Aweko.

Loreen Tshuma remained standing with 22, while on the other end Nyasha Gwanzura, also playing her first match of the tournament, had one off one.

After 20 overs, Zimbabwe Women had amassed a total of 108 for six wickets.

In their chase, Uganda Women lost the wicket of Esther Iloku (4), caught by Esther Mbofana off Gwanzura’s bowling in the third over.

Zimbabwe Women struck again in the next over as Nkomo dismissed Rita Musamali, who was yet to score, leaving Uganda Women on 11 for two in the fourth over.

After Kevin Awino (8) was run out at 25, Uganda Women added 30 runs for the fourth wicket in five overs before Nakisuuyi (18) was bowled by Marange, with Loreen Tshuma completing the catch.

Three balls later, Tshuma trapped Nampiina lbw for a duck.

Tasmeen Granger then claimed the scalps of Rachel Ntono (14) and Janet Mbabazi (8), as Uganda slumped to 78 for seven in the 17th over.

Uganda Women needed 19 runs off the final over, but Mbofana took the two wickets of Evelyn Anyipo (2) and Concy Aweko (2) to finish with three wickets for 16 off her four overs.

Granger had two wickets for 16 runs off the three overs she bowled.

Marange was totally unplayable, recording 14 dot balls in her first three overs on her way to finishing with one wicket for eight runs off the four overs she bowled.

Having also top-scored in the match with 40, Marange was deservedly named the player of the match for her superb all-round performance.