The Zimbabwe Women’s Regional T20 Tournament wrapped up with an exciting final 3rd T20I match at Harare, where Southerns Women triumphed over Northerns Women by 27 runs. This victory secured Southerns the tournament title after a hard-fought series. Northerns fought valiantly throughout, but Southerns showed stronger all-round performances across batting and bowling to clinch the championship.
Across the full 3-match series, Southerns Women dominated Northerns Women with a 3-0 sweep. The tournament showcased some exceptional individual performances alongside emerging young talents. While Northerns put up a good fight in patches, Southerns maintained consistent discipline and composure to close out matches comfortably. This regional competition has reinforced Southerns as the strongest outfit in Zimbabwe’s women’s T20 cricket at the moment.
The first innings of the final match saw Southerns Women bat first and set a challenging total of 135 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their 20 overs. Their innings was built around key contributions and aggressive runs from Kate Ebrahim who scored a 46-ball 55 supported by Chiedza Dhururu’s 21-run knock, laying a strong foundation for their bowlers to defend. The score was competitive enough to put pressure on Northerns’ batting lineup.
In reply, Northerns Women struggled to keep pace with the target and were eventually bowled out for 108 runs in 19.4 overs. Despite some resistance, the batting unit failed to build momentum or occupy the crease for extended periods. Only Kelis Ndhlovu (22) was the pick of the batters for the Northerns rest no one could really score much with the bat. This allowed Southerns’ bowlers to apply consistent pressure and pick crucial wickets at vital junctures. It was Nyasha Gwanzura’s 4-wicket haul as well that dented the Northerns’ batting lineup.
Southerns Women’s bowlers were disciplined and clinical in execution, successfully restricting Northerns’ scoring options and capitalizing on early breakthroughs. The combination of tight line and length, along with timely wickets, made the difference in this final match. The bowler’s efforts ensured Northerns never posed a serious threat after early setbacks.
Looking back at the earlier matches, both saw Southerns claim victories by comfortable margins. In the 1st Match, Southerns chased down 125 with 6 wickets in hand and 3 balls remaining, while in the 2nd Match they again dominated, reaching a modest target of 79 in just 17.3 overs, winning by 7 wickets. These performances set the tone for their overall series dominance.
The Zimbabwe Women’s Regional T20 Tournament highlighted the depth of women’s cricket talent in the country. Southerns Women’s blend of strong batting and disciplined bowling earned them the championship, while Northerns Women showed promising signs despite their losses. The tournament successfully provided a platform for players to develop and gain valuable competitive match experience.
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