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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter

THE Zimbabwe women’s cricket side inched closer to fulfilling their dream, after they eased into the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup Qualifier Africa, with a 100 percent winning record yesterday.

The Lady Chevrons beat Rwandan women by 52 runs to set up an interesting date with long-time foes, Uganda, today.

The Zimbabweans have been in dominant form, winning all five matches, during the group stages of the tournament, which is currently underway in Gaborone, Botswana.

Loreen Tshuma turned on a player-of-the-match performance yesterday, as she returned personal best figures of 4/11.

The Zimbabweans were sent in to bat first, after losing the toss.

They put on 142/4, in their 20 overs, with skipper Mary-Anne Musonda leading the charge with her contribution of 34 runs.

Musonda was returning to the team after she was rested for the previous two assignments.

The openers Ashley Ndiraya (24) and wicketkeeper-batter Chiedza Dhururu (29) gave Zimbabwe a good platform, with a partnership of 50 runs, in the opening eight overs.

Tasmeen Granger and Precious Marange were unbeaten on 17 and 16 as Zimbabwe posted a competitive total.

In response, Rwanda amassed 90/9, from their 20 overs, with only openers Sarah Uwera (39) and Gisele Ishimwe (11), getting into double figures.

The Rwandese women lost wickets at regular intervals and struggled to put runs on the board.

Player of the match, Tshuma, was the pick of the Zimbabwe bowlers, with her four-wicket haul, while Nomvelo Sibanda weighed in with 2/21, and the wicket for Loryn Phiri.

Zimbabwe ended the group stage with five wins, in as many games, and now face tough Uganda, for place in the final on Sunday.

Uganda finished as the runners up in Group B, with six points.

They lost only one game, to Group B winners Namibia, who dominated the group with a 100 percent winning run.

Namibia will face Group A runners-up Tanzania, in the other semi-final, today.

The winners will meet in the final on Sunday.

The tournament winners will book their place, in the ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup Global Qualifier, set for next year.

Meanwhile, the men’s side will be looking to save the T20I series against Scotland, when they meet in the second match in Edinburgh, today.

Zimbabwe lost the first match by seven runs.