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ZIMBABWE beat Thailand by seven runs in a close game in the third place play-off while UAE and USA played out a thriller, with the former winning off the last ball in the ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirate yesterday.

Put in to bat, Zimbabwe’s top four got starts, but couldn’t go big as Zimbabwe posted a below-par total on board.

Sharne Mayers and Kelis Ndhlovu put on an impressive opening stand of 46 runs before the former was dismissed.

Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano gave Zimbabwe some much-needed acceleration with a 27-ball 39. Zimbabwe put on 118/6 eventually, a total that proved to be less than sufficient.

In the run chase, Thailand put on a 76-run opening stand with Nannapat Koncharoenkai and Natthakan Chantham playing some crisp strokes and giving Thailand a strong platform.

Ndhlovu eventually broke the stand by dismissing Chantham, and added two more wickets to her tally to put pressure on Thailand.

Reduced to 92/4, the onus was on skipper Naruemol Chaiwai to take Thailand home with the required run rate soaring.

In the end, the target proved to be a bit away as Zimbabwe won by seven runs after a good final over from Nomvelo Sibanda. — ICC Cricket news.