Biza’s 62 not enough as India Women win ODI opener by nine wickets

Rawal’s unbeaten 100 and Verma’s 33-ball 64 seal chase in 27.1 overs in Vadodara

ZIMBABWE Women lost the first ODI of their tour to India by nine wickets in Vadodara on Friday, with Beloved Biza’s 62 the best performance in a 197 all out that India overhauled in 27.1 overs, with 137 balls to spare.

India finished on 200/1 chasing 198. Pratika Rawal made 100 not out off 96 balls, with 15 fours, and Shafali Verma made 64 not out off 33 balls, with five fours and four sixes. The two added an unbroken 106 for the second wicket after Smriti Mandhana (32) fell at 94/1, caught by Biza off Olinder Chare. India lead the three-match series 1-0.

Zimbabwe’s bowlers found no early wickets. India were 72/0 at the end of the mandatory first Powerplay, reached 50 in 5.4 overs, and 100 in 16.1 overs. Chare took the only wicket, finishing with 1/58 from seven overs. Tendai Makusha was the most economical bowler with 0/25 from five overs, and Loryn Phiri took 0/28 from five.

With the bat, Biza made 62 off 92 balls, with five fours, and Michelle Mavunga made 29 off 23, with three fours and a six. Modester Mupachikwa made 25 off 44 balls. Zimbabwe reached 46/1 in the first ten overs, but lost wickets in clusters and scored 14 runs in the last five overs.

Zimbabwe will want better starts with the ball and a longer innings with the bat in the second ODI on Sunday, 25 October. The third is on 28 October, and all three count towards the ICC Women’s Championship.

Scores in brief: Zimbabwe 197 (49.5 overs); India 200/1 (27.1 overs). India won by nine wickets.