At the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas on April 25, 2025, Zimbabwe Women made an impressive start to their tour, clinching a decisive 28-run victory over the United States Women in the first T20I of a three-match series. This win not only secured them a 1-0 lead but also highlighted the shining talent of Beloved Biza, who was deservedly named Player of the Match for her outstanding all-around performance.
After winning the toss, the USA Women opted to field first, hoping to keep Zimbabwe’s score within reach. However, their plans quickly hit a snag. Zimbabwe’s innings began on a sour note, with Kelis Ndhlovu dismissed without scoring in the very first over, and Modester Mupachikwa following suit shortly after with just 3 runs. Despite the rocky start, captain Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano aimed to stabilize the innings but fell for 15, leaving Zimbabwe in a precarious position.
The turning point came when Loreen Tshuma and Beloved Biza teamed up in the middle order. Tshuma delivered a dynamic performance, smashing 38 runs off just 27 balls, which included five boundaries and a six that energized the crowd. Meanwhile, Biza played the anchor role to perfection, scoring 33 runs from 34 balls, ensuring that Zimbabwe set a respectable and competitive total of 124 for 7. Josephine Nkomo contributed a solid 22 not out towards the end. For the USA, Geetika Kodali stood out with the ball, taking 3 wickets for 25 runs, showing her skill and resilience.
When the USA Women took to the crease, it quickly became clear that chasing down the target would be tough. Zimbabwe’s bowlers, led by Biza, maintained relentless pressure from the outset. Disha Dhingra managed to show some resilience with a cautious 16 runs from 30 balls, but the wickets continued to fall at an alarming rate. After Dhingra’s dismissal and Chetna Pagydyala’s effort of 25 runs, which made her the top scorer for the USA, the middle order crumbled under the weight of Zimbabwe’s disciplined bowling.
Biza’s bowling was a standout feature; she snagged three crucial wickets for just 18 runs in her four overs, taking down Pagydyala, Vaghela, and Shastri in quick succession. Loreen Tshuma and Precious Marange also chipped in with one wicket each, while Adel Zimunu bowled exceptionally well, conceding only 8 runs in her four overs.
Despite some late resistance from captain Aditiba Chudasama, who ended with 17 not out, and wicketkeeper Pooja Ganesh, who contributed 21 not out, the USA Women could only manage 96 for 6 in their 20 overs, leaving them well short of the target. Extras, particularly wides, added a mere 10 runs to their total, but these contributions weren’t enough to bridge the gap created by Zimbabwe’s disciplined bowling and sharp fielding.
This win not only showcased Zimbabwe Women’s ability to bounce back from early setbacks but also exhibited solid teamwork and strategy. Their bowlers executed their plans with precision, building momentum heading into the next match. On the flip side, the USA Women will need to regroup, reassess their strategy, and tighten their batting if they want to remain competitive in this series.
As anticipation builds for the second T20I on April 27th, cricket fans can expect another thrilling encounter. The USA will be eager to reclaim their footing, while Zimbabwe aims to seal the series with another victory, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of this competitive series.
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