‘Stunning win’ – Fans react as Zimbabwe beat West Indies by 35 runs to qualify for Super Sixers in 2023 World Cup Qualifiers
Sikandar Raza got the player of the match award for his all-round performance.
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Jun 25, 2023 12:07 pm
Zimbabwe (Source: Twitter)
It was a big upset at the 2023 One-day World Cup qualifiers as Zimbabwe beat the West Indies by 35 runs. The West Indies won the toss and chose to bowl first. The Chevrons made a slow start but soon found their groove as Joylord Gumbie made 26 off 50 balls with two fours and one six. Craig Ervine made a crisp 47 off 58 balls with seven fours. The West Indies struck back with four wickets in quick succession, and from 63-0, they stumbled to 112-4.
With steady knocks, Sikandar Razaand Ryan Burl brought the Chevrons back into the game. Raza made 68 off 58 balls with six fours and two sixes. Burl struck a handy 50 off 57 balls with five fours and one six. These vital contributions enabled Zimbabwe to reach 268 in their 50 overs. Keemo Paul was the best of the bowlers for the West Indies as he picked up 3-61 in his ten overs. Alazarri Joseph and Akeal Hosein picked up two scalps each in their respective bowling spells.
Tendai Chatara picked up a three-wicket haul for Zimbabwe in the second innings
In the second innings, Kyle Mayers got the West Indies off to a fast start as he hit 56 off 72 balls with eight fours and one six. On the other side, Brandon King was dismissed by Blessing Muzarabani for 20 off 12 balls with two fours and one six. Johnson Charles fell to Richard Ngarava for just 1 off 5 balls. Shai Hope tried to steady the ship for the West Indies, but Sikandar Raza bowled a jaffa to him and delivered a killer blow.
At 110-4, West Indies were looking down on the dumps. Nicholas Pooran and Roston Chase tried to breathe some life-but the men from the Caribbean were found wanting back into their side. Pooran made 34 off 36 balls with three fours and two sixes. Chase struck 44 off 53 balls with three fours. Zimbabwe kept picking wickets at crucial stages. West Indies were bowled out for 233 in 44.4 overs. Tendai Chatara took 3-52 in his 9.4 over spell for the Chevrons.
Muzarabani took 2-33 in his 7-over burst. Ngarava and Raza also took two scalps in their respective spells as Zimbabwe got the better of the West Indies in front of a boisterous home crowd. It is an elation for Zimbabwe while the West Indies are staring at a potential exit from the World Cup qualifiers if they don’t beat Sri Lanka in their next match.
Let us take a look at the reactions on Twitter:
So sad seeing the slow demise of West Indian cricket… they clearly have the grass roots talent, but that’s been drained by lack of success and the lure of other sports… but on the other hand, great to see Zimbabwe climb again.
— Anthony Spiteri 🇦🇺🇲🇹 (@anthonyspiteri) June 24, 2023
For those who don't understand the consequences of this group game. This is like a virtual knock out game. WI have to beat Srilanka in super 6 to match Zimbabwe now. Zimbabwe and Srilanka now most likely to qualify unless some crazy things happen.
Zimbabwe is good cricket team too. They are easily better than hyped teams like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Ireland. They are cricketing nation naturally. If it wasn't for their economic condition then they would have been elite today like South Africa.
