Zimbabwe U19 Women produced a commanding performance at the Bulawayo Athletic Club on August 18, 2026, chasing down Eagles Women’s competitive total with two overs to spare to secure an eight-wicket victory in the Zimbabwe Women’s T20 Cup 2026. The chase was built around a superb unbeaten 81 from Lorraine Pemhiwa, whose confident strokeplay kept Zimbabwe U19 Women firmly in control for most of the innings. Eagles Women had opportunities early on, but once the opening partnership settled, the momentum steadily shifted towards the young Zimbabwe side.
Eagles Women began their innings with Betty Mangachena and Vimbai Mutungwindo at the crease, but the start was anything but comfortable. Vimbai was dismissed for 1 from four balls by Christina Mutasa, who immediately put pressure on the Eagles top order. Captain Christabel Chatonzwa followed for a duck from just one delivery, also falling to Mutasa, while Runyararo Pasipanodya was trapped lbw for another duck as Christina completed an excellent early spell.
With Eagles Women reduced to 7/3 in 2.4 overs, Zimbabwe U19 Women appeared to have seized complete control. However, Betty Mangachena responded with a determined counterattack, finding the boundary regularly and forming an important 43-run partnership with Mitchel Mavunga. Mangachena struck seven fours in her 27-ball 34 before being dismissed by Tadiwanashe Garutsa at 50/4 in the seventh over.
Mavunga continued to fight alongside Precious Marange, but her innings ended at 64/5 after she made 18 from 16 deliveries, including three fours. Marange then became the stabilising presence for Eagles Women, first adding 26 with Shebina Maseko. Maseko scored a brisk 8 from 14 balls before Tadiwanashe Garutsa claimed her second wicket, leaving Eagles Women at 90/6. Marange then found another useful partner in Olinda Chare, and the pair added 31 runs to take the Eagles past 120.
Chare made 17 from 17 balls before being run out at 121/7, while Chevaughn Ndoro retired hurt for 0 after facing one delivery. Marange remained unbeaten on 24 from 35 balls, while Ruvarashe Mpofu contributed an unbeaten 3 from three deliveries. With 28 extras, including 22 wides and six byes, Eagles Women eventually reached 126/7 from their 20 overs.
Christina Mutasa was the standout bowler for Zimbabwe U19 Women, finishing with impressive figures of 3/14 from four overs, including a maiden, while Tadiwanashe Garutsa also took 3/16 from her four overs. Felicity Mpofu bowled four overs for 27 runs, Salem Museka conceded 17 from two overs, and Tawananyasha Zvomarima gave away 14 from her two overs. Beloved Biza bowled two overs for 19, while Makanaka Zinyama conceded 13 from two overs. Their collective effort ensured that Eagles Women never completely broke free despite Mangachena and Mavunga’s resistance.
Zimbabwe U19 Women’s reply began in emphatic fashion. Lorraine Pemhiwa and Makanaka Zinyama immediately put the Eagles bowlers under pressure, combining for an outstanding 86-run opening partnership. Pemhiwa was particularly fluent, repeatedly finding the boundary as she raced towards a match-defining half-century. Zinyama played the supporting role effectively, scoring 31 from 36 balls with four fours. Their partnership finally ended when Zinyama was run out by Christabel Chatonzwa and Vimbai Mutungwindo at 86/1 in the 11.5th over.
The dismissal briefly gave Eagles Women hope, but Pemhiwa continued to dictate the chase. Beloved Biza joined her and added six runs with the opener before falling for a four-ball duck at 91/2 in the 13th over, caught by Munenyasha Mandizora off the bowling of Olinda Chare. With the required target still within easy reach, Pemhiwa found another reliable partner in Tadiwanashe Garutsa. The pair calmly negotiated the Eagles attack and added an unbeaten 37-run partnership to take Zimbabwe U19 Women across the finish line.
Pemhiwa was the undisputed star of the Zimbabwe U19 Women chase, finishing unbeaten on a magnificent 81 from only 57 balls, with 11 fours and a strike rate of 142.11. Garutsa stayed not out on 7 from 12 deliveries as Zimbabwe reached 128/2 in 18 overs, completing an eight-wicket victory with 12 balls remaining. For Eagles Women, Olinda Chare was the only bowler to claim a wicket, finishing with 1/31 from four overs. Mitchel Mavunga bowled three overs for 22, Ruvarashe Mpofu conceded 33 from three, Christabel Chatonzwa returned 0/10 from two, Precious Marange conceded just nine from two, and Munenyasha Mandizora finished with 0/13 from two. Shebina Maseko also bowled two overs, taking 0/10 while conceding one no-ball and one wide.
Loves all things female cricket