Bowlers deliver in historic Zimbabwe win
Josephine Nkomo's Zimbabwe side claim their first win in ICC Women's Championship play in Harare.
Zimbabwe collected their first points in the ICC Women's Championship, defeating the West Indies by four wickets at the Harare Sports Club.
The victory also levelled the three-match series between the teams, setting up a decider on Wednesday.
It was the bowlers who set up the historic victory, led by Nyasha Gwanzura, who claimed a career-best 4/33 as the visitors were bowled out for 139 inside 40 overs.
Zimbabwe reached the target with 55 balls to spare, a fantastic turnaround after a 99-run defeat last Thursday.
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Earlier, the West Indies had won the toss and chose to bat, though they lost the early wicket of Realeanna Grimmond for four in the second over, caught behind by Modester Mupachikwa off the bowling of Michelle Mavunga.
Captain Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor added 47 for the second wicket, taking the visitors to 56 for one in the 12th over, before Gwanzura broke the key partnership, finding an edge to Mupachikwa.
Francisca Chipare struck twice in three deliveries, before Gwanzura delivered again, claiming Jannillea Glasgow, Zaida James and Aaliyah Alleyne for a combined eight runs.
From 56/1, the visitors had crumbled to 88/7, with only Taylor providing any West Indies respite. Her residence ended on 47, when Mavunga and Mupachikwa again combined in a caught behind.
Ashmini Munisar (20 not out) and Karishma Ramharack (26) in a final fightback added 26 for the last wicket before Olinder Chare bowled Ramharack for five in the 40th over.
Mupachikwa then combined with Kelis Ndhlovu to take the sting out of the West Indies' bowling effort, putting on 67 for the first wicket.
There was a stumble where Zimbabwe lost three wickets for just three runs, though resolute skipper Nkomo (30) broke the back of the tourists, alongside Gwanzura, who backed her bowling effort with an unbeaten 18 to see the chase home.
It was only Zimbabwe Women’s second ODI victory over a Full Member side, and the teams meet again on Wednesday at the same venue with a chance for more ICC Women's Championship points and a series victory.