SCOTLAND SECURE DOMINANT WIN OVER ZIMBABWE
Scotland secured their first victory of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier as they eased to a five-wicket win over Zimbabwe.
The Scots suffered a setback with their opening game defeat to the Netherlands, but bounced back in style against Zimbabwe, bowling their opponents out for 101 and reaching their target inside 14 overs.
Kathryn Bryce (2-19), Abtaha Maqsood (2-14) and Rachel Slater (2-15) all took two wickets apiece as Scotland kept on top of Zimbabwe throughout their innings, the African side never really recovering after sliding to 40-4.
Katherine Fraser was once again imperious at the top of the order, striking 44 from 30 deliveries to set Scotland on their way - and despite a brief wobble as they lost four wickets for 25 runs, Megan McColl and Priyanaz Chatterji saw their side over the line.
Player of the Match Katherine Fraser said: "I felt pretty good out there, I struggled a bit at the beginning but found my rhythm in the third over, and felt like I could really kick on.
"It was great to get the chance to bat with Brycie (Kathryn Bryce), she's such a calm head and experienced, so I'm just trying to learn as much as possible from her. We hit quite different areas of the ground as well, which always helps."
Zimbabwe lost their skipper Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano in the second over, caught on the square leg boundary by Megan McColl off Olivia Bell, and that set the tone for an innings in which wickets fell regularly.
Rachel Slater bowled Beloved Biza (8) and Loreen Tshuma (0), either side of Katherine Fraser having Kelis Ndhlovu stumped, as Zimbabwe slid to 40-4.
Modester Mupachikwa and Chiedza Dhururu showed some resistance as the pair added 38 in 40 deliveries - but when Dhururu fell to Kathryn Bryce for 22, it sparked a lower order collapse, as six wickets fell for 23.
Mupachikwa, who had come to the crease in the second over, batted through her side's innings, finishing unbeaten on 30 as Scotland wrapped-up the Zimbabwe effort for 101 in the 19th over.
Katherine Fraser had struck a career-best 41 in this format against the Netherlands on Tuesday, and bettered that again with a superb 44 today. The Durham all-rounder was well supported by Kathryn Bryce's 13-ball 23 - which included five boundaries - as Scotland raced towards their target.
Three wickets from Tshuma would stall Scotland's progress, as they slipped from 60-1 to 85-5 - but Megan McColl (12*) and Priyanaz Chatterji (15* ) batted calmly as they guided their side to their target with 38 balls remaining.
Scotland are next in action on Saturday morning against Thailand from 0315 GMT.