Shafali (55), Mandhana (47) help hosts take 2-0 unassailable lead
Raipur: Shafali Verma smashed a blistering 55 off 25 balls as India hammered Zimbabwe by nine wickets in the second women’s T20I to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series here on Sunday.
Chasing 103, India raced to victory in just 8.5 overs, with Shafali and skipper Smriti Mandhana (47 not out) putting on a commanding 96-run opening partnership.
Shafali tore into the Zimbabwe attack, plundering two consecutive fours and a six off Michelle Mavunga, while Mandhana struck four boundaries in succession off Nyasha Gwanzura before sealing the victory with a six off Olinder Chare.
Earlier, Zimbabwe struggled to build momentum after opting to bat, managing just 20 runs for one wicket in the Power Play. Chipo Tiripano (34) and skipper Josephine Nkomo (27 not out) offered some resistance with a 45-run fourth-wicket stand after the visitors’ shaky start.
However, off-spinner Niki Prasad broke the partnership by removing Tiripano before trapping Gwanzura leg-before to finish with impressive figures of two for seven.
The victory also handed Mandhana a series triumph at the start of her full-time captaincy stint.
