Craig Ervine's Zimbabwe have made a big step towards their ODI World Cup 2023 dreams as they defeated two-time World Champion West Indies in the Group A clash of the ODI World Cup Qualifier 2023. The hosts downed Shai Hope's Windies in a nail-biting clash at the Harare Sports Club by 35 runs and have snatched two crucial points from this game.
The two group games of the day witnessed the fans getting all three teams from Group A confirmed for the Super Six stage. While Zimbabwe got the better of the West Indies, the Netherlands registered a cakewalk over Nepal to confirm their spot for the final six along with West Indies. However, it is Zimbabwe, who are the ultimate winners of the group even if they don't finish first as they have defeated both the Windies and the Dutch and will carry four points to the Super Six.
This will provide them the advantage for reaching the main World Cup draw as either of Windies or Netherlands will have two points from this group.
Sikandar Raza's special all-round show steal the game
Riding on his fabulous knock in the previous game, Raza played another match-defing role in a crucial match agains Windies. After a flurry of wickets after the powerplay, Razar consoldiated an end and kept the scoreboard ticking. Captain Ervine and Ryan Burl played crucial contributions of 43 and 50, respectively. But it was Raza, who top-scored with 68. In their defence Raza also took two wickets and took the final catch of the match that took them to win. However, as the likes of Kyle Mayers, Roston Chase and Niocholas Pooran were hanging around, Windies were very much in the game. But the Zimbabwe bowlers helped them big way to bowl the former champions out for 233.
Van Beek, Max ODowd hand easy win to the Dutch
In the other game, the Dutch clinched an easy win from dominating performances form Van Beek and Max ODowd. Led by Van Beek's four-wickegt haul, Netherlands bowled Nepal out for just 167 in 44.3 overs. In reply, ODowd's 90 powered the Dutch to an easy win in 27.1 overs. They are the third team from the group to reach the Super Six.
