By Tendai Chisiri
Teenage debutant helps USA Women beat Zimbabwe Women in final match
Zimbabwe Women – 246-6 in 50 overs (Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano 60, Modester Mupachikwa 59, Josephine Nkomo 40*; Ritu Singh 2/37, Tara Norris 2/40, Aditiba Chudasama 2/42)
USA Women – 249-3 in 44.2 overs (Chetna Pagydyala 136*, Sindhu Sriharsha 35*, Disha Dhingra 34; Loryn Phiri 1/30, Olinder Chare 1/30, Audrey Mazvishaya 1/53)
USA Women won by seven wickets
Debutant teenager Reddy Pagydyala scored an unbeaten century to inspire the United States of America Women to a comfortable seven-wicket victory against Zimbabwe Women in their fifth and final one-day international match at Harare Sports Club on Monday.
Displaying maturity beyond her age, the 16-year-old made 136 not out off 152 balls, studded with 18 boundaries, as the tourists successfully chased down their target.
Zimbabwe Women were put in to bat first, setting a challenging total of 246 for six in their allotted 50 overs, with solid performances from Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano and Modester Mupachikwa anchoring the innings.
Mugeri-Tiripano scored a brisk 60 off 68 balls, featuring eight boundaries, while Mupachikwa contributed 59 runs from 78 balls, hitting nine fours.
Their partnership was crucial in stabilising the innings after an early wicket – Sharne Mayers departing for a golden duck in the first over – with both batters exhibiting a blend of aggression and resilience to lay a strong foundation.
Ashley Ndiraya and Josephine Nkomo chipped in with valuable runs, 39 and 40 not out respectively, allowing Zimbabwe Women to post a competitive score.
The six wickets that fell were shared equally among Ritu Singh, Tara Norris and Aditiba Chudasama.
The USA Women’s response was spearheaded Pagydyala, who put on an opening partnership worth 116 runs in 19.4 overs with Disha Dhingra.
Zimbabwe Women finally got the breakthrough when Dhingra, who made 34 off 45 balls, with four fours, was stumped by Mupachikwa off the bowling of Olinder Chare.
Two more wickets fell within the next 10.1 overs, first Anika Kolan holing out a delivery from Loryn Phiri into the safe hands of Nkomo at midwicket having made four runs, before Ella Claridge was bowled out by Audrey Mazvishaya for 12.
Unfortunately, that was to be the only reward for the Zimbabwe Women’s toil on the field as Pagydyala and Sindhu Sriharsha, who contributed 35 runs, took their team across the line without further damage.
Pagydyala wrapped it up in style by hitting a four to fine leg to take the USA Women to 249 for three, giving them a seven-wicket victory with 34 balls remaining.
Despite this result, Zimbabwe Women ultimately won the five-match series, clinching it by three victories to two.
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