Zimbabwe Under-19 Women – 104-9 in 20 overs (Nicolette Nyika 43, Christina Mutasa 32, Salem Museka 16; Tendai Makusha 4/6, Lindokuhle Mabhera 1/20, Gracious Nsingo 1/25)
Tuskers Women – 68-9 in 20 overs (Tasmeen Granger 23, Gracious Nsingo 9, Thubelihle Saidi 8; Salem Museka 4/13, Beloved Biza 2/9, Tawananyasha Zvomarima 1/9)
Zimbabwe Under-19 Women won by 36 runs
Zimbabwe Under-19 Women were crowned Women’s T20 Cup champions after Salem Museka produced a match-winning bowling display to secure a 36-run victory over Tuskers Women in Tuesday’s final at Queens Sports Club.
Makanaka Zinyama also fell with the score on 17, but Nicolette Nyika and Christina Mutasa revived the innings with a vital 42-run partnership.
Nyika top-scored with 43, while Mutasa contributed 32 to help the Under-19s recover from their difficult start.
Museka was the only other batter to reach double figures, chipping in with 16 as the young guns closed on 104 for nine from their 20 overs, with Makusha returning outstanding figures of four for only six runs.
Although the target appeared modest, Museka dramatically swung the final in the Under-19s’ favour by removing Tuskers’ top three batters in her opening two overs, leaving them struggling at nine for three.
Tawananyasha Zvomarima then bowled Loreen Tshuma without scoring as Tuskers slipped to nine for four.
The Under-19s maintained the pressure, restricting the flow of runs before claiming the seventh wicket in the 12th over with only 27 on the board.
Tasmeen Granger mounted the only meaningful resistance, scoring 23 off 25 balls before becoming the ninth batter dismissed in the final over.
Museka finished with superb figures of four for 13 as Tuskers were restricted to 68 for nine, sealing a memorable title triumph for the Zimbabwe Under-19 Women.
The victory completed a dominant campaign for the Under-19s, who topped the round-robin standings with seven wins from eight matches.
Tuskers finished second with six victories and two defeats to secure their place in the final, while Mountaineers Women placed third with four wins and four losses.
Eagles Women finished fourth after recording three victories in eight matches, while Rhinos Women lost all eight of their fixtures to end the competition at the bottom of the standings.
