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The Zimbabwe Women’s National Cricket Team vs Ireland Women’s National Cricket Team match scorecard from the fifth T20 International on February 2, 2024, records an exciting 14-run victory for Ireland Women at Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe. Ireland batted first and scored 138/7 in 20 overs. Zimbabwe responded with 124/8, falling short of the target despite a half-century from captain Mary-Anne Musonda.
Gaby Lewis and Orla Prendergast were Ireland’s leading batters, scoring 42 runs each. Prendergast also delivered an outstanding bowling performance, taking three wickets for 24 runs. Zimbabwe’s Musonda scored 52 from 43 balls, while Kelis Ndlovu contributed 32. However, Ireland’s bowlers took six wickets in the final stages of the innings to secure the win.
The match was the final fixture of Ireland’s five-match T20I series in Zimbabwe. Ireland completed a 5–0 series sweep with this result. <Cite refs={[“turn989487search3″,”turn989487search6”]}/>
Zimbabwe Women vs Ireland Women Match Summary
| Match detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Zimbabwe Women vs Ireland Women, 5th T20I |
| Series | Ireland Women tour of Zimbabwe, 2024 |
| Date | February 2, 2024 |
| Venue | Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe |
| Ireland Women | 138/7 in 20 overs |
| Zimbabwe Women | 124/8 in 20 overs |
| Result | Ireland Women won by 14 runs |
| Player of the Match | Orla Prendergast |
| Top scorer for Ireland | Gaby Lewis – 42 runs |
| Top scorer for Zimbabwe | Mary-Anne Musonda – 52 runs |
| Best bowling for Ireland | Orla Prendergast – 3/24 |
| Best bowling for Zimbabwe | Kelis Ndlovu – 3/20 |
Ireland Women Batting Scorecard
Ireland Women batted first after Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to field. The visitors finished with 138 runs for seven wickets, supported by important middle-order contributions from Gaby Lewis and Orla Prendergast.
Amy Hunter was dismissed for one run, but Lewis and Prendergast steadied the innings. Both scored 42 runs, with Lewis hitting seven fours and Prendergast striking three sixes. Their contributions helped Ireland recover from an early wicket and build a competitive total.
Captain Laura Delany added 18 runs from 15 balls. Leah Paul remained unbeaten on eight, while Cara Murray scored three not out in the closing overs.
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amy Hunter | b Kelis Ndlovu | 1 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Gaby Lewis | c Michelle Mavunga b Nomvelo Sibanda | 42 | 33 | 7 | 0 |
| Orla Prendergast | b Kelis Ndlovu | 42 | 34 | 1 | 3 |
| Laura Delany (c) | c & b Precious Marange | 18 | 15 | 2 | 0 |
| Rebecca Stokell | b Precious Marange | 6 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Louise Little | b Nomvelo Sibanda | 7 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Arlene Kelly | b Kelis Ndlovu | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Leah Paul | Not out | 8 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Cara Murray | Not out | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Extras | 9 | ||||
| Total | 7 wickets, 20 overs | 138 |
Ireland’s innings featured a productive partnership between Lewis and Prendergast. Both batters maintained a positive scoring rate, putting pressure on Zimbabwe’s bowlers. Although Zimbabwe took wickets in the latter half of the innings, Ireland reached a total that proved enough to win.
Zimbabwe Women Bowling Scorecard
Zimbabwe’s bowlers made important breakthroughs, with Kelis Ndlovu leading the attack. She claimed three wickets for 20 runs in four overs. Nomvelo Sibanda and Precious Marange picked up two wickets each, helping Zimbabwe restrict Ireland to 138.
Ndlovu’s wickets included Amy Hunter, Orla Prendergast and Arlene Kelly. Sibanda dismissed Lewis and Louise Little, while Marange removed Laura Delany and Rebecca Stokell.
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nomvelo Sibanda | 3 | 1 | 11 | 2 | 3.67 |
| Precious Marange | 4 | 0 | 27 | 2 | 6.75 |
| Kelis Ndlovu | 4 | 0 | 20 | 3 | 5.00 |
| Michelle Mavunga | 2 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 8.50 |
| Loreen Tshuma | 4 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 7.50 |
| Lindokuhle Mabhero | 3 | 0 | 29 | 0 | 9.67 |
Ndlovu’s three-wicket spell was Zimbabwe’s strongest bowling performance. Despite taking regular wickets, Zimbabwe could not prevent Ireland from posting a defendable score.
Zimbabwe Women Batting Scorecard
Zimbabwe began the chase with Kelis Ndlovu and Mary-Anne Musonda at the crease. The opening pair provided a promising start, reaching 77 runs before Ndlovu was dismissed for 32. Musonda continued to anchor the innings and scored 52 from 43 balls, including six fours.
The match changed dramatically after the second wicket. Musonda fell at 99, and Zimbabwe lost several wickets in quick succession. The score moved from 99/1 to 106/7 as Ireland’s bowlers took advantage of the pressure.
Michelle Mavunga remained unbeaten on 12, while Francesca Chipare finished on two not out. Zimbabwe ended on 124/8 after 20 overs, 14 runs short of the target.
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelis Ndlovu | b Leah Paul | 32 | 38 | 2 | 0 |
| Mary-Anne Musonda (c) | b Orla Prendergast | 52 | 43 | 6 | 0 |
| Pellagia Mujaji | lbw b Orla Prendergast | 7 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Chiedza Dhururu (wk) | c Amy Hunter b Laura Delany | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Loreen Tshuma | b Orla Prendergast | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Beloved Biza | b Laura Delany | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Precious Marange | lbw b Laura Delany | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Michelle Mavunga | Not out | 12 | 11 | 1 | 0 |
| Nomvelo Sibanda | Run out | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Francesca Chipare | Not out | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Extras | 8 | ||||
| Total | 8 wickets, 20 overs | 124 |
Musonda’s half-century gave Zimbabwe a strong chance of chasing the target, but the collapse after her dismissal proved costly. The lower order could not rebuild the innings quickly enough to put Ireland under sustained pressure.
Ireland Women Bowling Scorecard
Ireland’s bowlers defended 138 with a disciplined performance, especially during the middle and final overs. Orla Prendergast took three wickets for 24 runs, while captain Laura Delany also claimed three wickets, conceding just 17 runs in four overs.
Leah Paul took one wicket, dismissing Kelis Ndlovu, who had helped Zimbabwe make a positive start. Prendergast then removed Musonda, Mujaji and Tshuma, triggering the middle-order collapse. Delany finished the job by dismissing Dhururu, Biza and Marange.
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alana Dalzell | 3 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 6.33 |
| Orla Prendergast | 4 | 0 | 24 | 3 | 6.00 |
| Arlene Kelly | 4 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 6.25 |
| Cara Murray | 2 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 9.50 |
| Leah Paul | 3 | 0 | 19 | 1 | 6.33 |
| Laura Delany (c) | 4 | 0 | 17 | 3 | 4.25 |
Delany’s economical spell was crucial because it limited Zimbabwe’s scoring options while taking three wickets. Prendergast’s breakthroughs and Paul’s early wicket complemented the captain’s contribution and helped Ireland defend the target.
Key Highlights of Zimbabwe Women vs Ireland Women
- Ireland won by 14 runs: Ireland scored 138/7 and restricted Zimbabwe to 124/8.
- Gaby Lewis scored 42: Her seven boundaries helped Ireland recover after losing an early wicket.
- Orla Prendergast scored 42 and took three wickets: Her all-round performance earned her Player of the Match.
- Mary-Anne Musonda scored 52: Zimbabwe’s captain top-scored with a half-century but could not take her team over the line.
- Kelis Ndlovu took 3/20: She was Zimbabwe’s most successful bowler.
- Laura Delany claimed 3/17: Her economical spell helped dismantle Zimbabwe’s middle order.
- Ireland completed a 5–0 sweep: The victory sealed a clean sweep in the five-match T20I series. <Cite refs={[“turn989487search3″,”turn989487search6”]}/>
Match Analysis: How Ireland Women Won
Ireland’s victory was built on the combined efforts of its top-order batters and experienced bowlers. Lewis and Prendergast both scored 42, ensuring that the early dismissal of Hunter did not derail the innings. Their contributions allowed Ireland to reach 138, a competitive score in a match where wickets fell regularly.
Zimbabwe’s chase began well, with Ndlovu and Musonda establishing a 77-run opening stand. Musonda’s 52 was the best individual batting performance of the match, but her dismissal at 99 changed the momentum. Ireland took advantage by collecting wickets in clusters and keeping Zimbabwe’s scoring rate under control.
Prendergast and Delany each took three wickets, while Paul removed Ndlovu. Zimbabwe lost six wickets for only 29 runs after reaching 77/1, a decisive passage that left the lower order with too much to do.
The result demonstrated Ireland’s ability to recover from a modest total and apply pressure at the right moments. The visitors won the fifth T20I by 14 runs and completed the series with five victories from five matches.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who won the Zimbabwe Women vs Ireland Women fifth T20I?
Ireland Women won by 14 runs on February 2, 2024, at Harare Sports Club.
2. What was Ireland Women’s score?
Ireland Women scored 138/7 in 20 overs.
3. What was Zimbabwe Women’s score?
Zimbabwe Women finished on 124/8 in 20 overs while chasing 139.
4. Who was the top scorer for Zimbabwe Women?
Mary-Anne Musonda was the leading scorer, making 52 runs from 43 balls.
5. Who was Player of the Match?
Orla Prendergast received the award after scoring 42 runs and taking three wickets for 24 runs. <Cite refs={[“turn989487search3″,”turn989487search6”]}/>
Conclusion
The Zimbabwe Women’s National Cricket Team vs Ireland Women’s National Cricket Team match scorecard from February 2, 2024, highlights Ireland’s 14-run victory in the fifth T20I. Ireland posted 138/7, with Gaby Lewis and Orla Prendergast scoring 42 runs each. Zimbabwe responded through Mary-Anne Musonda’s 52, but a middle-order collapse restricted the team to 124/8.
Prendergast and Laura Delany each claimed three wickets, playing decisive roles in Ireland’s defence. The win completed Ireland’s 5–0 sweep of the T20I series in Zimbabwe and underlined the team’s strong all-round performance across the tour.