Zimpapers Logo

Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter

TAKASHINGA Sports Club in Highfield is the place to be today as the Lady Chevrons try to revive their campaign, in the ICC World Cup Cricket Qualifier, against the United States. 

A limited number of fans will be allowed into the arena, with the early birds likely to get the privilege, to watch the action. Entrance is free of charge. 

The Lady Chevrons lost their opening match to Thailand. 

However, opening batter Modester Mupachikwa yesterday said Zimbabwe have done their homework and they were looking to get their first set of points. 

“I feel like it was just small percentages, which lost us the game, in both departments. 

“We have the skill and the talent. 

“It’s now just about the mental aspect of it,” said Mupachikwa. 

Zimbabwe are likely to field a largely unchanged squad with Mupachikwa, and Sharne Mayers at the top of the batting order. The home team will surely enjoy the home comforts from the cricket loving fans after taking the game to the high density suburb of Highfield. 

 The Lady Chevrons are fourth in Group B. 

Bangladesh women are on top of the pile, with four points, after winning their opening two games. 

Pakistan women are second with two points, after losing to Bangladesh, and then beating Thailand, on Tuesday. 

Thailand are in third place, with two points from the win against Zimbabwe. 

This makes Zimbabwe’s clash against the USA a must-win affair, for the locals. 

The Americans are coming from a heavy 270-run defeat at the hands of Bangladesh Women. 

They are the lowest-ranked team in the group and conceded 322/5 in 50 overs, before being bowled out, for meagre 52 runs. 

“I saw them playing, they’re quite a good side,” said Mupachikwa. 

The right hand batter, however, believes Zimbabwe have a good chance in the race despite needing to contend with tough opponents — Bangladesh and Pakistan —in their last two games. 

“We are not far off, the good thing is that we have only played one game so far and other teams have played two apiece. 

“The battle is still on, we love and appreciate what our fans do for us,” said Mupachikwa. 

The home team need to improve their discipline, with the ball, which saw them gifting Thailand with a handful of extras, which proved crucial, at the end of the game. 

Zimbabwe fell a bit short with the bat in that match as well after they were bowled out for 239, chasing 247 runs. 

“I thought we had ourselves to blame for this loss,” said Zimbabwe coach, Adam Chifo. 

“We conceded 22 extras and some of the times we were not disciplined enough with the ball. 

“So, we were chasing, maybe 20-30 more runs than if we had been disciplined. 

“But, having said that, we applied ourselves better, in terms of batting. 

“One thing that we can take out from this, with regards to our batting, is we have a process that we stuck to. 

“Maybe, there were one or two overs that we missed, in terms of cashing in. Otherwise, if we do stick to our processes, we can score 250-plus in any match,” said Chifo. 

Group leaders Bangladesh will play Thailand in the other match at Harare Sports Club. 

Group A action will see a battle between Ireland and the Netherlands, at Sunrise Sports Club. 

Both team lost their opening matches. 

West Indies, who lead the table with two points, and second-placed Sri-Lanka, also on two points, have byes today. 

Three top teams from each group will proceed to the Super Six stage. 

At the end of the Super Six stage, the top three teams will then qualify for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022, to be held in New Zealand, between March and April next year.

Fixtures

Today: Zimbabwe v USA (Takashinga), Bangladesh v Thailand (HSC), Ireland v Netherlands (Sunrise)