Gwanzura's all-round show helps Zimbabwe stun West Indies

Zimbabwe stunned West Indies in the second women's ODI in Harare, as they registered only their second win against a Full Member side in the format. Nyasha Gwanzura (4 for 33), Michelle Mavunga (3 for 36) and Francisca Chipare (2 for 16) set the victory up for the hosts, who bowled West Indies out for 139. Zimbabwe chased the target down with 55 balls and four wickets to spare.

As a result, the three-match series was levelled at 1-1 after West Indies had won the first ODI by 99 runs on Thursday.

West Indies opted to bat after winning the toss, but lost Realeanna Grimmond to Mavunga in the second over. Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor steadied West Indies, but Gwanzura started a collapse from which they never recovered. Despite a second-wicket stand of 47, West Indies lost 9 for 83 to fold for 139, as Gwanzura, Mvunga and Chipare ran through their batting line-up.

When Mavunga got her third wicket, Zimbabwe's wicketkeeper Modester Mupachikwa took her fifth catch of the innings, becoming only the fourth wicketkeeper or fielder to achieve that in women's ODIs. Ashmini Munisar and Karishma Ramharack added 26 for West Indies, before Olinder Chare got the final wicket.

Zimbabwe looked solid in the chase, with Mupachikwa and Kelis Ndhlovu adding 67 for the opening wicket. But Aaliyah Alleyne took two of three quick wickets to fall as West Indies sensed a comeback.

Beloved Biza and Josephine Nkomo, however, ensured Zimbabwe remained on track. Their 30-run partnership pushed West Indies back, and despite successive losses again, Nkomo's innings of 30 and Gwanzura's contribution of a patient 18* after her career-best show with the ball took Zimbabwe across the line.

The win gave Zimbabwe their first points of the ongoing ICC Women's Championship 2026-29, where they are currently ninth among the 11 teams.