In a match curtailed to 40 overs per side due to a wet outfield, the United States of America Women’s cricket team secured a commanding 7-wicket win against Zimbabwe Women in the first ODI of their bilateral series.
This historic fixture marked USA Women’s first-ever ODI on home soil, giving them a 1-0 lead in the series. The hosts, led by a brilliant all-round display, outplayed the visitors with both bat and ball.
Opting to field first, the USA bowlers were able to restrict their visitors to 162 in the 40-over match. Modester Mupachikwa started off well but fell to Saanvi Immadi for 35 off 59. The Zimbabwe team struggled, losing consecutive wickets as Loreen Tshuma and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano were dismissed for ducks by Aditi Chudasama and Jessica Willathgamuwa, respectively.
Later, the innings was anchored by Beloved Biza, who was the top-scorer for her team with 64 off 79. While USA’s bowlers maintained consistent pressure, Aditi Chudasama led the attack, claiming 2 wickets for 29 runs in her 7 overs.
In reply, the hosts chased down the target comfortably in 38.1 overs. Chasing 163, USA lost an early wicket but were steadied by a 50-run partnership between Disha Dhingra and Chetna Pagydyala. Disha Dhingra contributed a well-crafted 51 off 73, while Pagydyala remained unbeaten with 59 off 108. Despite the efforts of the Zimbabwe bowlers, the top order guided the team to a 7-wicket victory.
Aditi Chudasama emerged as the Player of the Match for her all-round performance, taking crucial wickets and contributing quality runs for the team.
Earlier in the series, USA faced Zimbabwe in a 3-match T20I series, which witnessed the USA making history by securing their first-ever T20I win against a full-member nation in the final match.
In the first T20I, USA Women fell short of runs. Chasing a target of 124 set by Zimbabwe, the team folded for just 96. Beloved Biza emerged as the Player of the Match for her all-round performance, scoring 33 off 34 and taking 3 crucial wickets as Zimbabwe cruised to victory by 28 runs.
In the second T20I, USA fought hard but lost the match by just one run. Chasing 136, which was anchored by Zimbabwe player Loreen Tshuma’s 46 off 37, USA’s Disha Dhingra’s valiant effort of 57 off 45 wasn’t enough, as the team fell agonizingly short, finishing at 135. Loreen Tshuma was named Player of the Match for her performance.
In the third T20I, USA Women turned the tables, winning the match by 3 wickets. The USA bowlers restricted the opposition to 110 runs, with Zimbabwe’s Kelis Ndhlovu contributing 49 off 46. However, Gargi Bhogle’s 34 off 27 helped secure the chase, earning her the Player of the Match award. USA Women clinched a dramatic 3-wicket victory, though Zimbabwe won the T20I series 2-1.
With their recent victory in the ongoing ODI series, USA Women have taken a 1-0 lead, setting the tone for an exciting second and final ODI to decide the series.
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