HARARE – Zimbabwe pulled off a stunning 35-run victory over West Indies in a thrilling 2023 ICC World Cup qualifier match at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
In another Group A match, Netherlands secured a comfortable seven-wicket win against Nepal.
Sikandar Raza emerged as the star performer for Zimbabwe, making significant contributions with both bat and ball.
He scored a crucial 68 runs from 58 balls and also took two wickets for 36 runs, helping the Chevrons defend their total.
Both teams, Zimbabwe and West Indies, secured Super Six qualification with this result.
Batting first after winning the toss, Zimbabwe posted a competitive total of 268 runs, largely thanks to Sikandar Raza’s impressive innings.
Raza smashed six fours and two sixes during his 58-ball knock.
The opening pair of Joylord Gumbie (26) and Craig Ervine (47) provided a steady start, putting on a partnership of 63 runs before Gumbie was dismissed lbw by Keemo Paul in the 16th over.
Subsequent wickets of Wessly Madhevere (2) and captain Craig Ervine (90 for 3) put Zimbabwe under pressure.
However, Sean Williams (23), Sikandar Raza (68), and Ryan Burl (50) played crucial innings to revive the innings, taking the team’s total to 199 for five.
West Indies had their chances to dismiss Raza early in his innings but dropped him twice.
The 37-year-old all-rounder made them pay for their mistakes as he led Zimbabwe’s middle-order revival.
However, Raza finally fell in the 46th over, caught by Joseph off Kyle Mayers’ bowling.
Zimbabwe’s tailenders contributed vital runs in the closing overs, setting West Indies a target of 269 runs.
West Indies started their chase strongly until Brandon King was dismissed for 20.
Johnson Charles also departed early, but contributions from Shai Hope (30), Nicholas Pooran (34), and Roston Chase (44) kept the West Indies in the game.
However, Zimbabwe fought back, with Blessing Muzarabani trapping Rovman Powell (1) in front of the wicket and Tendai Chatara finding the edge of Jason Holder’s (19) bat.
With 52 runs required from 9.5 overs and three wickets in hand, Sikandar Raza dismissed Keemo Paul (1), and Chatara took the crucial wicket of Roston Chase.
Chatara then wrapped up the innings by dismissing Joseph in the 45th over.
The Harare Sports Club was packed with Zimbabwean fans, and when the venue reached its capacity by 11 am, many supporters were redirected to the adjacent rugby club to watch the match on the big screen.
In the next Group A match on Monday, West Indies will face Netherlands, who are currently in second place, while Zimbabwe will take on the eliminated United States in their quest for further progress in the tournament.
