ZIMBABWE will face Bangladesh in the semi-final of the 2015 International Cricket Council Women’s Twenty20 Qualifier currently underway in Thailand, despite losing their final Pool B match against eventual group winners Ireland yesterday. Although Zimbabwe had already booked a last-four berth with victories over China and the Netherlands at the weekend, captain Chipo Mugeri and her ladies had wanted to maintain a perfect run and win the group to avoid facing the winner of the other group.

But the Joyce twins, Isobel and Cecelia, were certainly in no mood to compromise Ireland’s own perfect campaign and led their side to a seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe, at the Terdthai Cricket Ground in the Thai capital, Bangkok.

Isobel put in a player-of-the-match shift with a four-wicket haul before she capped it with the final run that gave the Irish their third win in as many matches. Her twin sister Cecilia’s 37-ball 36 — including three fours and the match’s only six — provided a solid foundation as Ireland successfully chased down Zimbabwe’s total of 78 with 28 balls remaining.

Put in to bat first, Zimbabwe enjoyed a solid start with a 31-run first-wicket partnership that came to an end when Mugeri became Isobel’s first victim with 8,3 overs gone.

There was, however, no respite for Zimbabwe from the moment opener Modester Mupachikwa fell on 15, with Mary-Anne Musonda (seven) perishing six balls later.

After Sharne Mayers was sent back to the pavilion on five, Pellagia Mujaji — whose 11 made her the only other Zimbabwean batter to reach double figures — and Josephine Nkomo (five) attempted to rebuild the innings, but their fifth-wicket stand could only yield 13 runs.

The rest of the batters contributed only eight runs, with 11 extras giving the total a boost as Zimbabwe were dismissed for 78 with a full over to go. In response, Ireland enjoyed a strong start with Clare Shillington and Cecelia Joyce sharing a solid stand of 48 for the first wicket.

Although Nonhlahla Nyathi and Musonda combined to run out Kim Garth for a golden duck, while Christabel Chatonzwa took the important wicket of Cecelia seven balls later to leave the total on 64 runs for three wickets, the damage was already done. Cath Dalton and Isobel Joyce came in to see out the chase as they both finished unbeaten on seven and nine respectively to clinch the victory for the Irish women.

Despite the loss, Zimbabwe remained in high spirits ahead of their semi-final clash with Bangladesh at the Thailand Cricket Centre on Thursday. The Bangladeshi women made it to the last-four as group winners on the back of a perfect run of three wins in as many matches in Pool A, which also included runners-up Scotland as well as hosts Thailand and Papua New Guinea.

Ireland and Scotland square up in the other trophy semi-final.

Zimbabwe Women — 78 all out in 19 overs (Modester Mupachikwa 15, Pellagia Mujaji 12; Isobel Joyce 4/ 20, Robyn Lewis 2 /9)

Ireland Women — 79 for 3 in 15.2 overs (Cecelia Joyce 36, Clare Shillington 22; Chipo Mugeri 1 /17, Christabel Chatonzwa 1 /26)

Ireland Women won by seven wickets with 28 balls remaining. — ZimCricket.

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