The 1st Women’s T20I between Zimbabwe and United Arab Emirates, played at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, on October 5, 2025, saw UAE Women clinch a decisive 35-run win to start the series on a strong note.
UAE Women posted a daunting total of 183/3 in their 20 overs after winning the toss and opting to bat first, setting up the foundation with an explosive start inside the powerplay. Opener Esha Oza starred with a commanding 97 off 55 balls, featuring 16 boundaries and a six, dominating the Zimbabwe attack.
She registered rapid partnerships with Theertha Satish, who supported the innings with a steady 49 from 50 deliveries as their opening stand pushed the visitors past 100 without loss before the 11th over. UAE’s acceleration did not halt after the first wicket, as boundaries kept flowing and Zimbabwe’s bowlers struggled to stem the run flow.
Oza’s 97 set the tone for the highest partnerships of the match, while late contributions from the middle order saw UAE Women finish at 183/3—a competitive total driven by aggressive running, power hitting, and Zimbabwe’s wayward lines, including 19 extras. Lindo Mabhero (2/29) and Josephine Nkomo (1/25) led Zimbabwe’s attack.
In response, Zimbabwe Women were rocked early in their chase and found themselves reeling at 17/3 inside the powerplay, never really recovering the momentum needed to challenge the steep target. Despite a fighting knock from Chiedza Dhururu (66*), who struck a maiden T20I fifty under pressure, and a fifth-wicket partnership that brought respectability to the total, regular wickets kept Zimbabwe behind the required rate.
The top order faltered, placing extra pressure on the middle, but Chiedza Dhururu held one end up, scoring 50 and staging a brief 50-run fifth-wicket partnership with Josephine Nkomo (43 off 33) that revived hopes momentarily. However, the required run-rate kept climbing, and key wickets in the later stages dashed any chance of a turnaround as UAE’s bowlers kept things tight.
The UAE bowlers, led by disciplined spells, maintained control in the middle overs, ultimately restricting Zimbabwe to 148/6 after 20 overs for a comfortable 35-run win. Samaira Dharnidharka’s 3/19 (4) and Siya Gokhale’s 2/29 led UAE attack, delivering the win.
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