Zimbabwe Women fumble T20 World Cup chance

Ireland Women 137/6 in 20 overs (Orla Pendergast 28, Rebecca Stokell 26* ; Nomvelo Sibanda 2-24, Kelis Ndhlovu 2-38)

Zimbabwe Women 133/6 in 20 overs (Sharne Mayers 39, Mary-Anne Musonda 31; Jane Maguire 2-18, Arlene Nora Kelly 2-27)

Ireland Women win by four runs

It was so close and yet so far.

A combination of dropped catches and poor fielding will be the story of how Zimbabwe Women failed to make it to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup after losing to Ireland Women by four runs in a Qualifier semi-final.

As with the loss against UAE, Zimbabwe were just not sharp in the field and conceded easily 20 more runs than they should have in allowing Ireland to a score of 137 for the loss of six wickets in their 20 overs.

Captain Mary-Anne Musonda dropped two absolute dollies, both against batters who would end up scoring 20 runs more each. Pellagia Mujaji missed the other chance.

There were run-out chances and balls fumbled for four in a fielding performance which lacked intensity.

Kelis Ndhlovu was better than her two for 38 had the effort from her teammates been better. Kelis Ndhlovu took two for 38.

Zimbabwe chased the score down with intent but rarely getting to the boundary and no hit going for a maximum, they just left themselves with too much to do.

That they got to within four runs will be encouraging. But that will be the only consolation as they will be absent from the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023, just over the border in South Africa.

For the Lady Chevrons, they will know this was their best chance, and they let it slip.