West Indies Women began their three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe Women with an eight-wicket win at Takashinga Sports Club in Harare on October 3, 2026. After winning the toss, the visitors decided to field first and restricted Zimbabwe to 97/9 from 20 overs. West Indies made light work of the chase, reaching 98/2 in 12.5 overs with 43 balls remaining. This victory gave them a 1-0 lead in the series, while Jahzara Claxton earned Player of the Match honours for her contribution with bat and ball.
Zimbabwe’s innings got off to a difficult start when Sharne Mayers was dismissed for a five-ball duck, caught by Afy Fletcher off Chinelle Henry. Modester Mupachikwa scored 20 from 33 balls, including one four, while Kelis Ndhlovu made 11 from 12 deliveries with two boundaries. Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano added four from 10 balls before Karishma Ramharack sent her back. Beloved Biza was Zimbabwe’s top scorer, making 21 from 24 deliveries and hitting two fours. However, regular wickets stopped the hosts from building a strong partnership or setting a bigger target.
Captain Josephine Nkomo made eight from 11 balls, and Nyasha Gwanzura added 10 from 11 deliveries. Michelle Mavunga scored eight from seven balls, including one four, before being run out. Francisca Chipare contributed two, while Kudzai Chigora remained unbeaten on three from five deliveries. Olinder Chare did not bat. Zimbabwe’s extras total was 10, made up of one leg bye, one no-ball and eight wides. The side ended on 97/9, scoring at a run rate of 4.85 and leaving West Indies with 98 runs to win.
Karishma Ramharack led the West Indies bowling attack with three wickets for 17 runs in her four overs. Afy Fletcher took two wickets for 18 runs, and Claxton claimed two, conceding 16 in three overs. Chinelle Henry finished with one wicket for seven runs from three overs. Shawnisha Hector did not take a wicket and conceded 20 runs in three overs, while Stafanie Taylor went wicketless for 18 runs in her three overs. Hector bowled two wides and one no-ball, while Taylor sent down three wides. The bowlers kept Zimbabwe below 100 and set up a manageable chase.
West Indies started the reply at a brisk pace, with Eboni Brathwaite scoring 23 from 14 balls. She hit two fours and two sixes before Olinder Chare dismissed her, with the score at 38. Realeanna Grimmond then added 34 from 25 deliveries, striking five fours and one six. Her innings ended when Beloved Biza caught and bowled her, with West Indies on 97. By then, the visitors were only one run away from victory, having kept the required rate under control. The target was reached in just 12.5 overs.
Claxton remained unbeaten on 31 from 37 balls, with four fours, while Stafanie Taylor finished not out on one from one delivery. West Indies closed on 98/2 at a run rate of 7.63 and secured the win by eight wickets with 43 balls to spare. For Zimbabwe, Chare took one wicket for 22 runs from four overs, and Biza claimed one for 10 in 1.5 overs. Kudzai Chigora conceded 27 runs in two overs, Nyasha Gwanzura gave away 11 in two, Michelle Mavunga allowed 12 in one over, and Francisca Chipare finished with 0/14 from two overs. The second T20I is scheduled for October 5, followed by the third on October 7, with both matches at Takashinga Sports Club in Harare.
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