An unbroken 105-run fourth-wicket stand between Mary-Anne Musonda (50* in 58 balls) and Josephine Nkomo (57* in 74) helped Zimbabwe beat Thailand by six wickets in the first unofficial Women’s ODI at Harare Sports Club. Zimbabwe have taken a 1-0 lead in the four-match series with the win.
Chasing exactly 200, Zimbabwe were 95/3 at the halfway mark of the innings. Musonda and Nkomo then took charge and hit 14 boundaries between them to take Zimbabwe past the finishing line with five overs to spare.
With 2-35, Ratanaporn Padunglerd was the pick of the Thailand bowlers. Thipatcha Putthawong (0-26) did not get wickets, but was just as impressive. The other Thai bowlers conceded more than four an over.
Earlier, Thailand had lost their top three – Nattaya Boochatham (6), Wongpaka Liengprasert and Natthakan Chantham (6 in 33) – inside 12 overs after Musonda won the toss and asked them to bat. Nannapat Koncharoenkai and Naruemol Chaiwai steadied the ship, adding 61 for the fourth wicket before Nkomo (2-37) bowled Koncharoenkai (37 in 71).
Chanida Sutthiruang was the only Thailand batter with a strike rate over 56. Coming at No. 6, she hit seven fours in her unbeaten 60-ball 55, and forged an unbroken 103-run stand with Chaiwai to take her side to a respectable 199/4.
Chaiwai struggled throughout his 120-ball stay. She managed 67 with the help of six fours, but was unable to shift gear at any point. Tasmeen Granger (1-14), Precious Marange (0-31) and Nomvelo Sibanda (1-38) all bowled tightly to make this happen.
Brief Scores:
Thailand Women 199/4 in 50 overs (Naruemol Chaiwai 67*; Josephine Nkomo 2-37) lost to Zimbabwe Women 200/3 in 45 overs (Josephine Nkomo 57*; Ratanaporn Padunglerd 2-35) by 7 wickets with 30 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Josephine Nkomo.