Sibona Jimmy, Vicky Araa, and Pauke Siaka, script Papua New Guinea’s maiden victory in International cricket.
The Zimbabwe women led by skipper Mary-Anne Musonda are hosting Papua New Guinea Women led by skipper Brenda Tau for a limited-overs series that includes a three-match ODI series followed by a three-match T20I series that commenced on 24th March 2024 and will conclude on 2nd April 2024. Zimbabwe whitewashed Papua New Guinea (3-0) in a three-match ODI series.
Zimbabwe won the 1st T20I by eight wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series. Zimbabwe skipper Mary-Anne Musonda was awarded the Player of the Match for her brilliant knock (54* off 51 balls) with the bat. Papua New Guinea led by skipper Brenda Tau won the toss and opted to field first in the 2nd T20I at the Harare Sports Club. After being inserted to bat first, Zimbabwe openers got off to a steady start, scoring at just over 6 runs an over before Henao Thomas cleaned up Kelis Ndhlovu to provide the first breakthrough for Papua New Guinea. Pellagia Mujaji soon followed her back to the pavilion to provide the 2nd breakthrough for Papua New Guinea.
Skipper Mary-Anne Musonda joined wicket-keeper batter Modester Mupachikwa at the crease and the duo stitched a much-needed 66-run partnership for the 3rd wicket to stage some sort of recovery for Zimbabwe. Vicky Araa picked up the big wicket of the opposition skipper Mary-Anne Musonda to provide the 3rd breakthrough for Papua New Guinea. Josephine Nkomo joined wicket-keeper batter Modester Mupachikwa at the crease and the duo stitched a 13-run partnership for the 4th wicket before Vicky Araa picked up the wicket of Josephine Nkomo to provide the 4th breakthrough for her side. Zimbabwe were eventually restricted to 119/6 in their quota of overs.
Wicket-keeper batter Modester Mupachikwa (45 off 50 balls), and skipper Mary-Anne Musonda (37 off 34 balls) were the top performers with the bat for Zimbabwe. Vicky Araa (4-0-20-2), Sibona Jimmy (4-0-21-2), and Henao Thomas (4-0-22-1) were the top performers with the ball for Papua New Guinea. Chasing a target of 120, Papua New Guinea openers Sibona Jimmy and Naoani Vare got off to a good start, scoring just under 6 runs an over before Francisca Chipare picked up the wicket of Sibona Jimmy to provide the 1st breakthrough for Zimbabwe. Tanya Ruma soon followed her back to the pavilion to provide the 2nd breakthrough for Zimbabwe.
Skipper Brenda Tau joined Naoani Vare at the crease and the duo stitched a crucial 28-run partnership for the 3rd wicket before Nomvelu SIbanda picked up the big wicket of the opposition skipper Brenda Tau to provide the 3rd breakthrough for her side. Pauke Siaka joined Naoani Vare at the crease and the duo stitched another crucial 40-run partnership for the 4th wicket before Naoani Vare was found short of her crease to provide the 4th breakthrough for Zimbabwe. Papua New Guinea eventually managed to level the scores in their quota of 20 overs, and as a result, the game went into a super over.
Papua New Guinea managed to score 7 runs in the super over and Zimbabwe failed to get over the line, falling short of the target by just one run. Papua New Guinea clinched a historic victory over Zimbabwe in the 2nd T20I, their maiden victory in the T20I format. Pauke Siaka (43 off 33 balls), Naoani Vare (22 off 43 balls), and skipper Brenda Tau (17 off 18 balls) were the top performers with the bat for Papua New Guinea. Nomvelo Sibanda (4-0-25-1), Francisca Chipare (4-0-36-1), and Precious Marange (2-0-4-1) were the top performers with the ball for Zimbabwe.
Pauke Siaka was awarded the Player of the Match for her match-winning performance (43 off 33 balls) with the bat playing a crucial role in helping her side take the game to the super over. The 3rd T20I will be played on 2nd April 2024 at the Harare Sports Club from 10:00 PM IST.