adminBulawayo Bureau
THE Chevrons completed a PERFECT campaign when they beat Netherlands to win the ICC T20 Qualifier yesterday.
By winning the qualifier, Zimbabwe have joined Group A in the ICC T20 World Cup first-round in Australia where they will square off against Ireland, West Indies and Scotland.
Despite yesterday’s loss, the Netherlands also qualified for the T20 World Cup by virtue of reaching the Qualifier B final.
The victory also means head coach Dave Houghton has started his latest romance with the Chevrons with FIVE straight wins.
And, he was delighted by the kind of cricket his team displayed throughout the tournament.
He also paid tribute to the fans for pitching up in their thousands and felt it was befitting for the team to win the ICC Qualifier in front of a capacity home crowd.
“It feels fantastic, it’s great to see the guys getting the reward for the way they have played.
“They have played some great cricket and have entertained us all week.
“We had a beautiful crowd here today and we won a trophy in front of them. I feel fantastic,” said Houghton.
Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube presented Zimbabwe with the winners’ trophy.
Fans once again came in their thousands to support the team and an estimated 8 000 paid to witness one of the finest moments in recent Zimbabwean cricketing history.
So packed was Queens Sports Club that entry to the main grandstand was closed as it was oversubscribed.
Some members of the Zimbabwe Cricket Supporters Union also travelled from Harare to cheer the team.
Player of the Tournament and Player-of-the-Match Sikandar Raza picked up four wickets for eight runs in four overs, which included a maiden.
These were the best bowling figures by a Zimbabwean player in a T20 International, bettering the 4/11 by left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza against the United States.
The Chevrons bundled out the Netherlands for 95 runs in 18.2 overs after setting them a target of 132 in 19.3 overs.
Skipper Craig Ervine also saluted the fans, saying they were pained by playing without fans when the country had stricter Covid-19 restrictions.
“Playing cricket without the fans was very different and we know that because we have been through the Covid-19 times, when there were no fans, and it almost felt like playing a franchise game.
“From all the boys out here, we can’t thank you enough for coming out to support us and don’t stop now, keep coming.”
Raza believes there are good spinners in the Zimbabwe team capable of breaking his bowling record.
“I honestly believe that records are there to be broken.
“There are a lot of good spinners in our team, one day they will break this record as well and win the game for the country, most importantly,” he said.
Zimbabwe posted what appeared like a low total when Ervine won the toss and chose to bat first. Sean Williams top scored with 28 runs and opener Regis Chakabva weighed in with 21.
Off-spinner Wessley Madhevere gave the host nation a great start with the ball when he picked up two quick wickets.
A direct hit by Milton Shumba to run out Tom Cooper gave Zimbabwe control of the game.
Raza trapped Stephan Myburgh leg before wicket for 22 runs before Scott Edwards fell to Williams, caught by Richard Ngarava.
Then a gem of a delivery by Raza to clean bowl Logan van Beek left Netherlands reeling at 56/6 and they never recovered from the Zimbabwean shock attack.
Scores
Zimbabwe 132 (19.3 overs) (Williams 28, Chakabva 27, van Beek 3/18, de Leede 2/19)
Netherlands 95 (18.2 overs) (Myburgh 22, Nidamanuru 21, Raza 4/8, Madhevere 2/15, Jongwe 1/6) by 37 runs
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter