Kelis Ndlovu
Beloved Biza
Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano
Christina Mutasa
Nyasha Gwanzura
Chiedza Dhururu
Shawnisha Hector
Chinelle Henry
Aaliyah Alleyne
Karishma Ramharack
Afy Fletcher
Eboni Brathwaite
Jahzara Claxton
Realeanna Grimmond✱
Stafanie Taylor✱
Nomvelo Sibanda
Kudzai Chigora
Loryn Phiri
The atmosphere at Takashinga Sports Club turned electric in the 15th over when Eboni Brathwaite unleashed a six‑hit onslaught, taking the West Indies Women from a modest chase to a commanding 108‑2 finish. Her 57 runs off just 23 balls not only sealed the match but also highlighted the growing gap between the two sides in this inaugural T20 of the West Indies Women tour of Zimbabwe 2026.
Match Summary
Winning the toss, West Indies Women elected to bowl under a partly cloudy sky with a temperature of 24.3 °C and a 55 % chance of rain. Zimbabwe Women got off to a shaky start but managed to post a respectable 106‑7 in 20 overs, thanks to a steady partnership between Beloved Biza (35 off 35) and Chipo Mugeri‑Tiripano (25 off 28). Kelis Ndlovu added a quick 25 off 28, but the lack of a big finish left them vulnerable.
In response, West Indies Women chased down the target in just 9.1 overs, cruising to 108‑2. Brathwaite's 57 set the tone, while Realeanna Grimmond contributed a rapid 23 off 16. The only wicket to fall came early when Kudzai Chigora claimed a solitary scalp for 1/36 in her four‑over spell.
Key Performances
Eboni Brathwaite (WI‑W) – 57 runs off 23 balls, 6 fours, 4 sixes. Her strike rate of 247.8 turned the chase into a sprint, and her boundary‑hitting spree earned her the Player of the Match award.
Realeanna Grimmond (WI‑W) – 23 runs off 16 balls, providing the perfect finish after Brathwaite’s onslaught.
Kudzai Chigora (WI‑W) – 1/36 in 4 overs, keeping the Zimbabwe innings in check with disciplined line and length.
Beloved Biza (ZIM‑W) – 35 runs off 35 balls, the top scorer for Zimbabwe, anchoring the innings with composure.
Kelis Ndlovu (ZIM‑W) – 25 runs off 28 balls, adding valuable runs in the middle order.
Chipo Mugeri‑Tiripano (ZIM‑W) – 25 runs off 28 balls, a steady contribution that kept Zimbabwe in the hunt.
Turning Points
The first major turning point arrived in the 8th over of Zimbabwe's innings when Brathwaite’s first ball in the chase was a six over long‑on. The momentum shift was palpable; the required run rate dropped from 6.3 to 5.6, and the Zimbabwe bowlers began to feel the pressure.
Another decisive moment came in the 9th over of the chase when Brathwaite struck three consecutive boundaries, pushing the scoreboard past the 70‑run mark with just two wickets in hand. At that stage, the West Indies win was all but assured.
Zimbabwe’s inability to convert starts into a big partnership also proved costly. After Biza’s 35, the next 30 runs came at a sluggish 4.5 runs per over, allowing West Indies to settle into a comfortable chase.
Series Implications
With the series now standing at 1‑0 in favor of West Indies Women, the momentum is clearly with the Caribbean side. The comprehensive victory not only gives them a psychological edge but also demonstrates the depth of their batting line‑up, especially the explosive middle order.
For Zimbabwe Women, the loss highlights the need for a more aggressive top order and better death‑over strategies. The next match will be crucial if they hope to level the series and prove they can compete on home soil.
Fans following West Indies Women cricket today will be eager to see if the Caribbean side can maintain this dominance, while those tracking the Zimbabwe Women T20 score will be looking for a comeback in the upcoming fixtures. Stay tuned for live updates on the West Indies Women tour of Zimbabwe 2026 live score as the series unfolds.