Under the searing Harare sun, a tantalising clash of cricketing philosophies unfolds. Zimbabwe, fresh from their T20I series win, seek to extend their dominance with skipper Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano’s seasoned calm. Across the pitch, USA’s Aditiba Chudasama marshals a squad blending youthful audacity and tactical grit, determined to rewrite their white-ball narrative.
At the heart of this contest stand two 19-year-old prodigies, Kelis Ndhlovu, Zimbabwe’s left-arm spin sensation, and Isani Vaghela, USA’s fiery all-rounder, poised to etch their names in cricketing lore. As ODI strategies collide with emerging talent, this Fantasy 11 lineup emerges not just as a game of points but a canvas were experience dances with untamed potential. Will Zimbabwe’s spin-heavy arsenal outplay the USA’s pace-and-grit resolve?
Fantasy 11 picks for United States of America Vs Zimbabwe 1st Women’s ODI:
Wicketkeepers:
Pooja Ganesh (USA):
The middle-order dynamo combines sharp glovework with attacking intent. Her ability to counter Zimbabwe’s spinners, especially against Kelis Ndhlovu’s left-arm orthodox-could set the tone for the USA’s innings. The young 17-year-old wicket-keeper batter who just played one game, making her debut in the ODI format on 14th April 2024 against Scotland, hasn’t had much of an opportunity to showcase her skills with the bat for her side in the format. She is an exciting prospect to watch out for.
Modester Mupachikwa (Zimbabwe):
A veteran’s composure meets tactical aggression. Her role in stabilising the innings against the USA’s seamers, while capitalising on loose deliveries, makes her a dual-threat asset. She has scored 425 runs at a strike rate of 57.58 and a decent average of 23.61 in 19 innings, including three half-centuries, and a high score of 77 (113 balls) against the United States of America on 20th October 2024 in Harare.
Batters:
Disha Dhingra (USA):
She is known for her fearless approach at the top of the order. Her attacking instincts will be crucial to put the Zimbabwean bowlers on the back foot and provide a positive start in the powerplay for the United States of America. She has scored 237 runs at a strike rate of 68.29 and an impressive average of 33.85 in seven innings, which includes one half-century with the bat for her side in the ODI format so far. She could play a crucial role in providing some quick points in your fantasy set-up.
Chetna Pagydyala (USA):
The young prodigy is known for her impressive technique and her ability to manoeuvre the ball into the gaps and rotate strike, with ease, not allowing the pressure to build. Her keenness to be proactive at the crease and wait for the loose deliveries could play a crucial role in keeping the scoreboard ticking, especially in the middle-overs phase of the innings. She scored an unbeaten century, 136* (152 balls), on her ODI debut against Zimbabwe on 28th October 2024 at Harare. She would be high on confidence after having a decent outing in the recently concluded T20I series against Zimbabwe.
Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (Zimbabwe):
The skipper’s clutch mentality and knack for anchoring chaotic chases make her indispensable. Expect her to neutralise the USA’s off-spin threat while rotating strike efficiently. She has scored 351 runs at a strike rate of 75 and an impressive average of 35.10 in 11 innings. Her tally of runs includes three half-centuries and a high score of 71* (105 balls) against Papua New Guinea, 24th March 2024, at Harare.
All-rounders:
Beloved Biza (Zimbabwe):
The 16-year-old sensation is one of the most promising upcoming talents for Zimbabwe. Her right-arm medium pace targets the USA’s lower-middle order vulnerabilities. Lower-order hitting prowess adds crucial late-innings momentum. She has scored 123 runs at a strike rate of 54.18 and a decent average of 24.60 in five innings with the bat. She has also picked up three wickets at an average of 25.33 and an economy of 4.75 in four innings with the ball for her side in the format so far.
Isani Vaghela (USA):
The teenage seamer’s disciplined line and gritty middle-order resolve make her a performer under pressure. Doubles as a dark horse for breakthrough spells. She offers containment and wicket-taking ability, particularly against Zimbabwe’s aggressive top order. The 19-year-old’s composure in the T20I series, notably under stressful chases, underscores her ability to deliver when stakes are high. In ODIs, her extended spell with the ball and potential to anchor innings make her a reliable vice-captaincy fallback.
She has scored 45 runs in five innings with the bat and picked up four wickets at an average of 54.75 and an economy of 5.34 in six innings with the ball in the ODI format so far for USA. She is yet again poised to play an important role and create an all-round impact for her side.
Loren Tshuma (Zimbabwe):
Seam movement and lower-order cameos position her as a silent game-changer. Could exploit the USA’s batting fragility under lights. She has picked up 8 wickets at an average of 43.62 and an economy of 4.30 in 12 innings with the ball for her side in the format. Besides her contributions with the ball, she has also scored 69 runs in 13 innings with the bat for her side in the format so far.
Aditiba Chudasama (USA):
The skipper’s off-breaks and composed batting anchor the USA’s strategy. Her duel with Mugeri-Tiripano in the middle overs might decide the contest. She has been a crucial performer for the United States of America, leading from the front, be it with the bat or with the ball. She has scored 79 runs at a strike rate of 75.23 and an average of 19.75 in five innings with the bat. Besides her crucial contributions with the bat, she has also created a decent impact with the ball, picking up 10 wickets at an average of 24.80 and an impressive economy of 3.77 in seven innings with the ball for the USA in the ODI format.
Kelis Ndhlovu (Zimbabwe):
At 19, her left-arm spin offers a sharp turn, while fearless batting against off-break specialists like Chudasama could reap match-defining rewards. A bold leadership choice.
As a left-arm orthodox spinner in Zimbabwe’s bowling attack, Ndhlovu is primed to exploit USA’s potential vulnerability against slow bowling-especially on surfaces offering grip or wear. Her dual role as a middle-order batter adds a layer to her fantasy value, as she could capitalise on tired bowlers during the death overs. The USA’s lineup, featuring right-hand heavy batters like Aditiba Chudasama and Pooja Ganesh, may struggle against her natural angle and sharp turn. This matchup-specific edge amplifies her likelihood of breakthroughs, critical for bonus points in fantasy formats.
She has scored 102 runs at a strike rate of 54.83 and an average of 12.75 in nine innings with the bat for her side. She has also picked up 15 wickets at an impressive average of 16 and a sensational economy of 3.28 in nine innings with the ball, including a five-wicket haul, against Thailand (9-2-22-5) in her game-changing spell on 19th April 2023 at Bangkok. She has been one of the prominent performers with the bat as well as with the ball in the ODI format for Zimbabwe.
Bowlers:
Geetika Kodali (USA):
Relies on disciplined line-and-length to stifle Zimbabwe’s top order. Early breakthroughs against Mugeri-Tiripano or Mupachikwa could tilt the momentum.
She has picked up seven wickets at an average of 38.42 and an economy of 5.66 in seven innings with the ball, including a five-wicket haul against Zimbabwe on 23rd October 2024 (10-1-43-5) in her spell at Harare. Alongside her exploits with the ball, she has also scored 46 runs at a strike rate of 61.33 and an average of 15.33 in four innings with the bat for the USA in the ODI format so far.
As the floodlights cast their glow on this transcontinental duel, one truth becomes clear: cricket’s future is being sculpted here. Whether Ndhlovu’s spin weaves magic or Vaghela’s all-round heroics spark an American resurgence, this ODI transcends mere runs and wickets, it’s a showcase of women’s cricket’s evolving potential.
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