New Zealand Women continued their commanding run in the T20I series against Zimbabwe Women, registering a comprehensive 110-run victory to take an unassailable 2-0 lead.
After winning the toss and opting to bat first, New Zealand delivered a near-perfect batting performance, piling up 196/1 in their allotted overs, a total that proved far beyond Zimbabwe’s reach. The innings was anchored by a sensational 163-run partnership between wicketkeeper-batter Isabella Gaze and captain Amelia Kerr, who completely dominated the Zimbabwe bowling attack.
Gaze was the standout performer, remaining unbeaten on 85* off 54 deliveries, showcasing clean stroke-play and smart placement. At the other end, Kerr led from the front with a fluent 82 runs, controlling the tempo and punishing loose deliveries. The duo’s partnership ensured New Zealand maintained momentum throughout the innings without losing wickets.
Finishing touches were provided by Izzy Sharp, who chipped in with a quick 22* off just 14 balls, adding valuable late-order acceleration. Zimbabwe’s bowlers struggled for breakthroughs, with Nyasha Gwanzura being the lone bright spot after dismissing Kerr, the only wicket to fall in the innings.
Chasing a steep target, Zimbabwe’s innings unravelled early. Opener Nyasha Gwanzura endured a tough outing, departing for a duck, leaving the visitors on the back foot from the very first over.
There were brief flashes of resistance, with Kelis Ndhlovu scoring 19 runs and Chiedza Dhururu adding 20, but the partnerships never materialised. Contributions from Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (7) and Beloved Biza (3) were short-lived as wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals.
New Zealand’s bowling unit was relentless and well-disciplined. Nensi Patel, Jess Kerr, and Kayley Knight led the charge, claiming two wickets each and never allowing Zimbabwe to settle into the chase. With the required run rate soaring and wickets falling, Zimbabwe were eventually bundled out well short of the target, handing New Zealand another emphatic victory.
The win underlined New Zealand’s depth, experience, and dominance across departments, while Zimbabwe will take lessons from the series as they continue their rebuilding phase on the international stage. With a 2-0 series lead, New Zealand have already sealed the series and will look to finish strong in the remaining fixture.
