ICC ODI World Cup Qualifiers Day 3: Zimbabwe record second successive win
The hosts
Zimbabwe won their second successive match defeating Netherlands in a high
scoring encounter played at Harare Sports Club, Harare on 20 June 2023.
Zimbabwe
captain Craig Ervine won the toss and decided to field first. Max O Dowd and
Vikramjit Singh looked in good touch for Netherlands scoring 57 runs in the
first 10 overs. After the field restrictions, Singh and O Dowd kept scoreboard
ticking taking singles and hitting boundaries.
O Dowd
completed half-century off 56 deliveries while Vikramjit also reached fifty off
59 balls to keep Netherlands going strong. Sikandar Raza provided the much-needed
breakthrough dismissing O Dowd wicket trying to reverse sweep. O Dowd and Singh
added 120 runs for opening wicket. Raza struck again dismissing Wesley Barresi.
Singh and
captain Scott Edwards looked in great touch keeping the momentum going for
Netherlands. Raza struck again once more dismissing dangerous Singh. Singh and
Edwards added 96 runs for the 3rd wicket.
Bas de Leede
and Teja Nidamanuru could not contribute much dismissed cheaply. Scott Edwards reached
fifty off 49 deliveries and put on 59 runs for the 6th wicket along
with Saqib Zulfiqar. Netherlands posted 315 for 6 at the end of 50 overs.
Chasing 316
runs to win, Craig Ervine looked in great touch with attacking mindset putting
pressure on Netherlands bowlers along with Joylord Gumbie. Zimbabwe openers
scored 48 runs in the first 10 overs.
Ervine
reached half-century off just 46 deliveries and was dismissed Vikramjit Singh.
Ervine and Gumbie put on 80 runs for the opening wicket laying a strong
foundation. Sean Williams played with intent not allowing Netherlands bowlers
to settle. Shariz Ahmed struck for Netherlands getting rid of Gumbie. Gumbie
and Williams added 62 runs for the 2nd wicket.
Shariz Ahmed
dismissed Wesley Medherve cheaply to push back Zimbabwe. Sikandar Raza came to
the crease and showed intent right from word go. Williams and Raza kept the
scoreboard ticking for Zimbabwe making life tough for Netherlands bowlers.
Sean
Williams reached half-century off just 28 deliveries and looked at ease. On
other hand, Sikandar Raza completed fifty from 36 balls to keep Zimbabwe on
course for a win. De Leede got rid of dangerous Williams caught by Nidamanuru.
Williams and Raza added 84 runs for the 4th wicket.
Raza showed
his class after reaching his fifty smashing bowlers all over the park. He hit 3
successive sixes off Shariz Ahmed and completed century with a six off 54
deliveries. Zimbabwe chase down the target easily with 55 balls to spare.
Zimbabwe
319 for 4 in 40.5 overs (Raza 102*, Sean Williams 91, Shariz Ahmed 2/62) beat
Netherlands 315 for 6 in 50 overs ( Vikramjit Singh 88, Scott Edwards 83,
Sikandar Raza 4/55) by 5 wickets.
For his 4
for 55 and 102 not out, Sikandar Raza was named the player of the match award.
Zimbabwe recorded their second successive win in the tournament.
In other
match, Nepal recorded their first win of the tournament against USA. After electing
to bowl first, Karan KC produced a magical spell picking first four wickets.
Shayan Jahangir showed some courage scoring unbeaten century. Despite his efforts,
USA could only post 207.
Chasing 208
runs to win, Bhim Sarki and Kushal Bhurtel put on 49 runs for the 2nd
wicket after early loss of wicket. Sarki and Dipendra did job for Nepal adding unbeaten
74 partnership for 5th wicket. Nepal won the match by 6 wickets with
7 overs to spare.
Zimbabwe beat Netherlands by 6 wickets to register second successive win of ICC ODI World Cup qualifers
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