Zimbabwe register an emphatic win over Uganda in the Capricorn Tri-series

Kalyani Mangale

22 Apr 2022

New Update

Zimbabwe register an emphatic win over Uganda in the Capricorn Tri-series — Zimbabwe all-rounder Josephine Nkomo

Zimbabwe continued their winning ways against Uganda with a comfortable win by 22 runs in match 4 of the Capricorn Tri-series at the Centre for Cricket Development Ground on Friday (22 April). Josephine Nkomo, playing her first match of the series was the highest run-scorer for the side and she also chipped in with two wickets and a diving catch to seal the victory for Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe’s captain Mary-Anne Musonda won the toss and chose to bat first in Windhoek. Kelis Ndlovu, opening for the first time in the series, got off to a flyer in the first over as she hit Evelyn Anyipo for two boundaries in the opening over. That aggression led to her fall in the second over with Patricia Malemikia making an early breakthrough. Two balls later, Malemikia added another wicket to her kitty when she bowled Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano for just five.

Musonda walked in at three and did not waste any time putting up a counter-attack. She clobbered a short delivery from Anyipo for a six over mid one and followed it with a lovely four down the ground. Malemikia continued to be economical, while captain Concy Aweko introduced herself inside the powerplay. Musonda was looking threatening, but she had to trudge back to the pavilion as she was given out for obstructing the field. Zimbabwe put 43 for three at the end of the powerplay.

Sharne Mayers, who was pushed down the order in the match, started on a cautious note. She remained calm even when she lost experienced batter Modester Mupachikwa for just six. She found a partner in Josephine Nkomo as the pair started to rebuild the innings from 49 for four in the 9th over. Janet Mbabazi and Sarah Akiteng continued to put pressure on the batters. Uganda also dropped Mayers off Akiteng when she was on five.

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Initially, the pair relied on running between the wickets, and once they settled down they put Uganda’s bowers under pressure. Mayers showed her class with a flick off her pads over mid-wicket for the second six of the match. Nkomo hit another six to take Zimbabwe past 100 in the 17th over. Aweko broke the inspiring partnership of 63 runs when Mayers was caught at deep square leg for 36 off 38 balls. Nkomo continued her stroke play as she hit two back-to-back boundaries immediately after Mayer’s wicket.

Zimbabwe finished with 127 for five in the first innings and Nkomo remained unbeaten on 43 off just 38 balls. For Uganda, Malemikia took wickets while Aweko and Mbabazi took one each.

Chasing 128 to register their first victory of the series, Uganda opening pair Kevin Awino and Leona Babirye started on an optimistic note. Awino smashed a cracking pull shot off Francisca Chipare to start the proceedings for Uganda. Chipare recovered well to only concede three runs of her second over. Nkomo, the highest run-getter for Zimbabwe became the golden arm for her team when she trapped Awino in her first over.

Michelle Mavunga struck gold with her first ball of the match as she dismissed Babirye for one. Mbabazi, who walked in at three did not hold back and hit three boundaries off Mavunga. Zimbabwe’s bowling was hot and cold in the powerplay with Precious Marange bowling a maiden and Mavunga going for 12 runs in the over. The dot ball pressure from Marange paid dividends when leg-spinner Anesu Mushangwe castled Rita Musamali for a duck.

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The trend of taking a wicket in the first over of the spell continued when Loryn Phiri sent Naome Bagenda back for nine runs. Nkomo took a flying catch to reduce Uganda to 47 for four. This mini-collapse at the other end did not deter Mbabazi as she continued to put up a show for Uganda. Zimbabwe’s bowling and fielding were the mix of sublime and sloppy as they dropped as many as three chances and gave away as many as 10 extras. Once captain Aweko was dismissed for 11, Mbabazi found an attacking partner in Phiona Kulume, but it was too little too late for Uganda. Mbabazi remained unbeaten on 42 off just 36 balls to keep Uganda in the competition. Her efforts went in vain as Zimbabwe registered their second victory of the series by 22 runs.

For Zimbabwe, Nkomo and Mavunga took two wickets each while Mushangwe and Phiri took a wicket apiece.

Brief Scores: Zimbabwe: 127/5 in 20 overs (Josephine Nkomo 43*, Sharne Mayers 36; Patricia Malemikia 2/15) beat Uganda 105/6 in 20 overs (Janet Mbabazi 42*, Phiona Kulume 19; Josephine Nkomo 2/16) by 22 runs

Uganda Zimbabwe Josephine Nkomo Capricorn Tri-Nation Series, 2022