South Africa’s women’s team on Tuesday defeated Zimbabwe’s women’s team by 28 runs in a competitive match at the fifth Nigeria Women’s Invitational T20I in Lagos.
The tournament is named the Patricia Kambarami Cup, in honour of the late ICC Africa Regional Development Manager and Titans COO.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match was played at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Cricket Oval in Lagos, as fixtures resumed following a short break.
The break followed the successful hosting of the NCF Legacy Programme, which introduced over 200 girls to cricket.
South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first, with openers Chanel Venter and Ashley Barnard providing a solid start.
Both batters scored 16 runs each, helping the team to 47 runs in four overs and 62 at the end of the powerplay.
However, Zimbabwe fought back strongly, taking quick wickets, including that of Venter at the start of the seventh over and captain Mieke Van Voorst shortly after.
South Africa slipped to 82 for five in 9.5 overs and later lost six wickets for just 25 runs.
A late surge powered by Miya Lalor and Daneli Boshoff, who scored 25 off 17 balls, helped South Africa post a competitive total of 145 for seven in 20 overs.
Salem Museka and Tadiwa Garutsa led Zimbabwe’s bowling attack with two wickets each.
In response, Zimbabwe had a slow start, losing an early wicket with only four runs on the board.
In spite of the brief resistance and a few boundaries, South Africa maintained control, restricting Zimbabwe to 31 runs at the end of the powerplay and 56 for two at the halfway stage.
Zimbabwe reached 89 for four after 15 overs, but could only manage 117 for eight in their allotted 20 overs.
Ashley Van Wyk starred with the ball, claiming three wickets for 17 runs, while Kananelo Mokoena supported with two wickets for 15 runs.
Christina Mutasa top-scored for Zimbabwe with 35 runs, while Lorraine Pemhiwa added 18 runs.
Van Wyk was named Player of the Match for her outstanding performance as South Africa secured a 28-run victory..
