Zimbabwe Women secured a convincing 6-wicket victory over UAE Women in the 2nd ODI at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo on September 28, 2025. Captain Esha Oza’s fighting 23 and Heena Hotchandani’s 34 helped UAE post 160, but Zimbabwe’s opening pair of Modester Mupachikwa (52) and Kelis Ndhlovu (61) made light work of the chase, reaching 161/4 in just 40.2 overs.
Match Details
The second One Day International of the UAE Women vs ZIM Women series took place at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo on September 28, 2025, as part of the United Arab Emirates Women tour of Zimbabwe 2025/26 season. Zimbabwe Women won the toss and elected to field first, a decision that paid dividends as UAE struggled against disciplined bowling to post 160 all out in 40.5 overs.
The match started at 9:15 AM local time with umpires Christopher Phiri and Nkosehle Ndiweni officiating, while Julia Chibhabha served as match referee. Zimbabwe’s victory levels the 4-match series at 1-1 after UAE had taken a 1-0 lead.
Zimbabwe’s response was clinical and professional, with their openers setting up a match-winning foundation that made the target look modest on a decent batting surface.
UAE Women’s Batting Struggles
UAE Women never really got going after losing early wickets. Captain Esha Oza (23 off 17 balls) tried to inject some urgency but fell caught behind off Adel Zimunu in the sixth over with the score at just 32/2.
The visitors’ innings was anchored by Heena Hotchandani, who top-scored with a patient 34 off 70 balls. Her knock included 9 fours but came at a strike rate of just 48.57, reflecting the pressure applied by Zimbabwe’s bowlers.
Samaira Dharnidharka provided valuable support with 22 off 55 balls, helping to build a crucial 52-run partnership for the third wicket. However, when she fell LBW to Loryn Phiri in the 25th over, UAE were struggling at 84/3.
Middle Order Collapse Hurts UAE
Theertha Satish briefly threatened with an aggressive 28 off 30 balls (strike rate 93.33), but wickets kept falling at regular intervals. The middle order collapse saw UAE slip from 113/4 to 140/7 within the space of five overs.
Loreen Tshuma was the pick of Zimbabwe’s bowlers with 3/36 from 9 overs, while Adel Zimunu (2/30) and Tendai Makusha (2/21) provided excellent support. Nyasha Gwanzura chipped in with 2/18 to wrap up the tail.
Zimbabwe’s Commanding Chase
Zimbabwe Women’s reply was a masterclass in controlled batting. Openers Modester Mupachikwa and Kelis Ndhlovu put on a magnificent 123-run partnership that effectively ended the contest as a competitive affair.
Mupachikwa played the aggressor’s role, scoring 52 off 76 balls with 10 boundaries. Her innings was a perfect blend of patience and calculated aggression, setting the platform for what would become a comfortable victory.
Ndhlovu’s Mature Knock Seals Victory
Kelis Ndhlovu complemented her opening partner beautifully, scoring 61 off 99 balls with 11 fours. Her strike rate of 61.61 was ideal for the chase, never allowing the required run rate to climb beyond comfortable levels.
Even after both openers fell in quick succession around the 28-over mark, Zimbabwe were well ahead of the game at 124/2. Captain Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (5) and Loreen Tshuma (10) kept things moving before Chiedza Dhururu (9*) and Loryn Phiri (9*) saw the team home without further alarms.
Detailed Scorecard
UAE Women – 160 all out (40.5 overs)
| Batsman | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Esha Oza (c) | c Gwanzura b Zimunu | 23 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 135.29 |
| Lavanya Keny | b Makusha | 3 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 21.42 |
| Heena Hotchandani | c †Mupachikwa b Zimunu | 34 | 70 | 9 | 0 | 48.57 |
| Samaira Dharnidharka | lbw b Phiri | 22 | 55 | 3 | 0 | 40.00 |
| Theertha Satish † | c Ndhlovu b Tshuma | 28 | 30 | 4 | 0 | 93.33 |
| Others | – | 50 | 104 | 3 | 0 | – |
| Extras | – | 20 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | – | 160 | 290 | 21 | 0 | 3.91 |
Zimbabwe Women – 161/4 (40.2 overs)
| Batsman | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modester Mupachikwa † | c Thompson b Oza | 52 | 76 | 10 | 0 | 68.42 |
| Kelis Ndhlovu | c & b Oza | 61 | 99 | 11 | 0 | 61.61 |
| Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (c) | c Hotchandani b Oza | 5 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 29.41 |
| Loreen Tshuma | c †Theertha Satish b Botha | 10 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 76.92 |
| Chiedza Dhururu | not out | 9 | 30 | 1 | 0 | 30.00 |
| Loryn Phiri | not out | 9 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 128.57 |
| Extras | – | 15 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | – | 161/4 | 242 | 24 | 0 | 3.99 |
Bowling Figures
Zimbabwe Bowling
- Loreen Tshuma: 9-0-36-3 (Economy: 4.00)
- Adel Zimunu: 7-0-30-2 (Economy: 4.28)
- Tendai Makusha: 6.5-2-21-2 (Economy: 1.75)
- Nyasha Gwanzura: 4-0-18-2 (Economy: 4.50)
UAE Bowling
- Esha Oza: 9-2-28-3 (Economy: 3.11)
- Michelle Botha: 5-1-23-1 (Economy: 4.60)
- Katie Thompson: 5-0-13-0 (Economy: 2.60)
Key Partnerships
UAE Women:
- 3rd wicket: 52 runs (Hotchandani 34, Dharnidharka 22)
Zimbabwe Women:
- 1st wicket: 123 runs (Mupachikwa 52, Ndhlovu 61)
Top Performers
- Kelis Ndhlovu (ZIM) — 61 (99 balls), 11×4, SR: 61.61
- Modester Mupachikwa (ZIM) — 52 (76 balls), 10×4, SR: 68.42
- Heena Hotchandani (UAE) — 34 (70 balls), 9×4, SR: 48.57
- Loreen Tshuma (ZIM) — 3/36 (9 overs), Economy: 4.00
Post-Match Reaction
“The opening partnership was the difference today,” said Zimbabwe captain Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano. “Modester and Kelis gave us exactly what we needed at the top of the order. When you get a start like that, chasing 160 becomes much easier.”
UAE captain Esha Oza was disappointed with the batting performance: “We needed at least 200 on that surface. Credit to Zimbabwe’s bowlers, but we should have applied ourselves better. Heena batted well, but we needed more contributions from the middle order.”
Match Summary
| Teams | Runs | Wickets | Overs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE Women | 160 | 10 | 40.5 | Lost by 6 wickets |
| Zimbabwe Women | 161 | 4 | 40.2 | Won by 6 wickets |
Player of the Match: Kelis Ndhlovu
Series Status: Level 1-1 (4-match series)
Conclusion
Zimbabwe Women produced a clinical performance to level the series with a dominant 6-wicket win. The opening partnership of 123 runs between Mupachikwa and Ndhlovu set up the victory after their bowlers restricted UAE to just 160. The series now moves to the third ODI with both teams level at 1-1.