ICC ODI World Cup Qualifiers Day 6: Hosts Zimbabwe stun West Indies
The hosts
Zimbabwe register a famous win over two-time Champions West Indies in an
important Group A match played at Harare Sports Club, Harare on 24 June 2023.
West Indies
captain Shai Hope won the toss and decided to field first. Joylord Gumbie and
Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine looked cautious against disciplined bowling.
Ervine looked in great touch while Gumbie struggled to time the ball. At the
end of first 10 overs, Zimbabwe made 37 for 0.
Keemo Paul
eventually struck for West Indies dismissing Gumbie. Gumbie and Ervine put on
63 runs for the opening wicket. Wesley Medherve fell cheaply by Akeal Hossein with
a simple catch by substitute Carthy. Zimbabwe lost 2 more quick wickets of
Craig Ervine and Sean Williams as they looked in some trouble at 112 for 4.
Sikandar Raza came to the crease putting pressure on West Indies along with
Ryan Burl.
Raza showed
intent and continued his superb form in the tournament. He along with Ryan Burl
kept the momentum going for Zimbabwe taking singles and hitting boundaries with
ease. Raza completed his fifty off 56 balls while Raza reached half-century off
48 runs deliveries. Ryan Burl was dismissed as the ball pitched outside leg.
Raza and Burl added 87 runs for the 5th wicket. West Indies bowlers
showed great discipline to pick wickets at regular wickets to bowl out Zimbabwe
for 268 in 49.5 overs.
Chasing 269
runs to win, Brandon King began the innings with aggressive intent putting
pressure on Zimbabwe bowlers. Blessing Muzarbani got rid of King providing easy
catch to Sikandar Raza. King and Mayers added 43 runs for the opening wicket.
Kyle Mayers showed intent with some brilliant shots to keep the scoreboard
ticking. Richard Ngarava struck to dismiss dangerous Johnson Charles cheaply.
West Indies ended the first 10 overs at 55 for 2.
Kyle Mayers
and Shai Hope looked at ease keeping the scoreboard ticking making life tough
for Zimbabwe bowlers. Wellington Masakadza dismissed dangerous Kyle Mayers to
end a 64 runs partnership for the 3rd wicket. Sikandar Raza produced
a lovely delivery getting rid of Shai Hope bringing back hosts into the game.
Nicolas Pooran showed intent putting pressure on Zimbabwe bowlers along with
Roston Chase. Both batters kept momentum for West Indies and kept them on
course for a win.
Ngarava dismissed
dangerous Nicolas Pooran right in front of stumps. Pooran and Chase added 41
runs for the 5th wicket. Muzbarani produced a lovely delivery to
dismiss Rovman Powell cheaply to leave West Indies in trouble.
Jason
Holder and Chase steadied the ship for West Indies taking singles and hitting occasional
boundaries. Chatara was bought into attack dismissing Holder providing easy catch
to Gumbie. Holder and Chase added 37 runs for the 7th wicket. It was
a superb bowling effort by Zimbabwe bowlers as they kept chipping away to bowl
out West Indies for 233.
With this
win, Zimbabwe progressed into the Super Six stage along with Netherlands and
West Indies.
For his 68
off 58 deliveries, 2 for 36 and 2 catches, Sikandar Raza was named the player
of the match. Zimbabwe will carry vital points in Super Six stage which could
prove vital in qualification for WC.
Zimbabwe
268 in 49.5 overs ( Sikandar Raza 68, Ryan Burl 50, Keemo Paul 3/61) beat West
Indies 233 in 44.4 overs ( Kyle Mayers 56, Tendai Chatara 3/52, Raza 2/36) by
35 runs.
In other match,
Netherlands crushed Nepal by 7 wickets in one-sided affair. Netherlands
skittled Nepal out for 167 runs and then chased down the target. Max O Dowd was
the top scorer for Netherlands.
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