Leah Paul’s career-best 118-ball 95 and excellent figures of 9-2-29-1 helped Ireland register an 80-run win against Zimbabwe in the second Women’s ODI at the Harare Sports Club. Paul and Gaby Lewis forged a 135-run opening wicket stand to steer Ireland reach 286/7. Ireland then restricted Zimbabwe to 206/9 to level the four-match series 1-1.
Paul and Lewis set the tone for Ireland after Mary-Anne Musonda won the toss and asked them to bat. Laura Delany (35), Shauna Kavanagh (34 in 31 balls), and Orla Prendergast (23) carried the momentum to boost the total. They scored 72 in the last 10 overs.
For Zimbabwe, Josephine Nkomo, Esther Mbofana, Loreen Tshuma, Nomvelo Sibanda, and Precious Marange all picked up a wicket each. Marange bowled the only maiden over of the innings, and also dismissed Paul five runs short of a maiden ODI hundred, in the 41st over.
Despite staging an inspiring performance in their first ever ODI less than 48 hours ago, Zimbabwe were never really in the chase. They lost wickets at regular intervals, slipping to 57/4 and then 121/8. Nkomo and Sibanda stitched a 69-run stand for the ninth wicket to revive Zimbabwe from there.
Nkomo notched up her maiden ODI fifty during this partnership, and remained till the end with 70, from 86 balls. Unfortunately, she received little support from the others, which cost Zimbabwe the match.
Cara Murray (3-56) did the most damage for Ireland, but Celeste Raack (10-0-23-2) was the most impressive. The two sides will meet again on 9 October, for the third ODI at the same venue.
Brief Scores: Ireland Women 286/7 in 50 overs (Leah Paul 95; Josephine Nkomo 1-33) beat Zimbabwe Women 206/9 in 50 overs (Josephine Nkomo 70*; Cara Murray 3-56) by 80 runs. Player of the Match: Leah Paul.