By 
In a thrilling showdown at the African Games, Zimbabwe emerged triumphant in the inaugural women’s T20i tournament, securing a hard-fought victory over South Africa in a nail-biting Super Over.
Throughout the tournament, Zimbabwe showcased remarkable dominance, remaining undefeated in all five matches.
The Lady Chevrons of Zimbabwe, placed in Group B alongside Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya, displayed exceptional prowess from the outset.
Their campaign commenced with a resounding victory over Rwanda, where Modester Mupachikwa’s stellar batting performance earned her the Player of the Match title, leading Zimbabwe to chase down Rwanda’s target with ease.
Continuing their winning streak, Zimbabwe advanced to the semi-finals following a convincing triumph over Uganda by 4 wickets.
Josephine Nkomo’s outstanding bowling performance played a pivotal role in securing Zimbabwe’s spot in the next stage of the competition.
Maintaining their momentum, Zimbabwe concluded the group stage with a flawless record, overpowering Kenya with a comprehensive 68-run victory.
Modester Mupachikwa etched her name in history by becoming the first Zimbabwean woman to surpass 1000 runs in T20Is during this match, adding yet another milestone to her illustrious career.
Modester Mupachikwa
In the semi-finals, Zimbabwe’s strong bowling performance restricted Nigeria to 74/9, paving the way for a convincing five-wicket victory and a spot in the final.
Kelis Ndhlovu’s impressive figures of 3/12 earned her the player of the match award, highlighting Zimbabwe’s all-round excellence.
During the finals, the match between Zimbabwe and South Africa reached a thrilling climax, requiring a Super Over to determine the champion.
Zimbabwe posted a competitive total of 112-5 in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to solid contributions from Modester Mupachikwa (31) and Kelis Ndhlovu (28), while South Africa’s skipper, Nondumiso Shangase, managed to keep the pressure on with her bowling, claiming figures of 1/8.
In response, South Africa fought hard, matching Zimbabwe’s total with a score of 112-7 in their 20 overs, led by notable performances from Miane Smit (31 not out) and Leah Jones (15).
However, Zimbabwe’s bowling attack, led by Kelis Ndhlovu (2-21) and Loreen Tshuma (1-14), played a crucial role in defending the target. Francisca Chipare also made a valuable contribution, taking a solitary wicket for 18 runs in her four overs.
With the scores tied, the match entered a Super Over, where Zimbabwe emerged victorious by two wickets. South Africa batted first but managed only 2/2, leaving Zimbabwe with a target of 3 runs to win in six balls.
Kelis Ndhlovu receiving the Player Of Match Award after the finals
In a decisive moment, Tanyarazwa Kelis Ndhlovu, who later earned the Player of the Match title, struck a classic boundary, sealing Zimbabwe’s victory and clinching the gold medal at the African Games.
