In the first ODI between Zimbabwe Women and the United States of America Women, held at the Harare Sports Club on October 17, 2024, Zimbabwe Women secured a comfortable victory by 5 wickets with 93 balls to spare, leading the five-match series 1-0. This day match saw Zimbabwe chase down the USA’s target of 153 runs with relative ease, led by an all-around performance from Beloved Biza, who was named Player of the Match for her contribution with both the bat and the ball.
Zimbabwe Women won the toss and elected to field first, setting the tone for the match. The USA Women struggled to build partnerships and maintain momentum in their innings, being bowled out for 152 in 43.5 overs. Early breakthroughs were made by Zimbabwe’s bowling attack, with Josephine Nkomo, Audrey Mazvishaya, and Beloved Biza taking key wickets at regular intervals.
The USA’s top order struggled from the start. Opener Gargi Bhogle was dismissed early for just 1 run, bowled by Nkomo in the fourth over. Although Disha Dhingra showed some resistance with a decent knock of 23 off 34 balls, she too fell to Mazvishaya, leaving the USA at 42/2. Anika Kolan was the only significant contributor in the top order, scoring 37 off 61 balls, anchoring the innings for some time before being dismissed by Chatonzwa. The middle and lower order failed to provide much stability, with Sindhu Sriharsha (14), Isani Vaghela (14), and Geetika Kodali (5) all falling cheaply.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers, led by Beloved Biza and Josephine Nkomo, made consistent breakthroughs. Biza’s spell was particularly effective as she claimed three wickets for just 22 runs in her eight overs. Nkomo and Mazvishaya also chipped in with important wickets, with Nkomo finishing with figures of 3 for 29 and Mazvishaya picking up 2 for 22. The USA’s innings was further hampered by Zimbabwe’s disciplined fielding and sharp wicketkeeping from Modester Mupachikwa, who took four catches behind the stumps.
In reply, Zimbabwe’s chase got off to a shaky start when they lost Sharne Mayers for a duck in the very first over, lbw to Tara Norris. However, Modester Mupachikwa (16) and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (29) added some stability to the innings before both fell within the first ten overs. Zimbabwe’s star of the day, Beloved Biza, then took charge of the chase, scoring a well-crafted 38 off 51 balls. Her partnerships with Mugeri-Tiripano and Josephine Nkomo helped Zimbabwe recover from their early losses.
Though the USA bowlers tried to mount pressure, with Norris and Isani Vaghela both taking two wickets each, Zimbabwe’s batting depth came through. Nkomo remained unbeaten on 33, guiding her team to victory with over 15 overs to spare. Extras contributed a substantial 22 runs to Zimbabwe’s total, further easing their chase.
Zimbabwe’s all-around performance, marked by tight bowling and steady batting, ensured a strong start to the series. The USA Women will need to regroup and find better balance between their batting and bowling if they hope to make a comeback in the next match of the series.
