Brilliant Biza leads Zimbabwe Women to win on debut

USA Women – 152 all out in 43.5 overs (Anika Kolan 37, Tara Norris 31, Disha Dhingra 23; Beloved Biza 3/22, Josephine Nkomo 3/29, Christabel Chatonzwa 2/21)

Zimbabwe Women – 154-5 in 34.3 overs (Beloved Biza 38, Josephine Nkomo 33*, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano 29; Tara Norris 2/20, Isani Vaghela 2/36, Aditiba Chudasama 1/31)

Zimbabwe Women won by five wickets

Fifteen-year-old Beloved Biza made a stunning senior debut, leading Zimbabwe Women to a five-wicket win over the USA Women in the first of their five-match ODI series at Harare Sports Club on Thursday.

Biza showcased her all-round brilliance, taking three wickets and top-scoring with 38 runs.

After being sent in to bat, the USA Women were bowled out for 152 in 43.5 overs, with Anika Kolan and Tara Norris contributing 37 and 31 respectively.

Biza led Zimbabwe’s bowling attack, finishing with impressive figures of three for 22 from eight overs.

Captain Josephine Nkomo also took three wickets for 29 runs in 6.5 overs, while Christabel Chatonzwa and Audrey Mazvishaya claimed two each.

Modester Mupachikwa broke Zimbabwe’s wicketkeeping record with four catches.

Zimbabwe’s chase started shakily, with Sharne Mayers dismissed for a golden duck by Norris. A promising partnership between Mupachikwa and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano was broken when Norris struck again, bowling Mupachikwa for 16 off 12 balls.

Mugeri-Tiripano’s steady 29 (six fours) pushed Zimbabwe to 56 for 3 in the 10th over, needing 97 more runs at 2.4 runs per over.

Biza and Ashley Ndiraya added 40 crucial runs before the latter departed for 11. Biza’s 38, featuring five boundaries, brought Zimbabwe within 40 runs of victory.

Another debutant Runyararo Pasipanodya joined Nkomo to steer Zimbabwe home with 15.3 overs to spare. Nkomo remained unbeaten on 33, with six boundaries, while Pasipanodya contributed a calm five not out.

The second match of the series is set for Sunday at the same venue.