adminBlessing Malinganiza
ZIMBABWE’S sensational 35-run victory over West Indies secured their place in the Super Six of the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifiers.
The Chevrons defended a score of 268 after being skittled all out with one ball left in their innings, with captain Craig Ervine putting up a solid opening partnership with Joylord Gumbie.
Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl then put up a 100-run partnership and, with support from Blessing Muzarabani and Tendai Chatara’s last wicket stand ogf 25, Zimbabwe got to 268.
The Chevrons then summoned all their power and skill to achieve victory over the former champions.
The Chevrons’ last Group A match is against the United States of America, before moving to Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo for their three Super Six matches.
Saturday’s mouth-watering Group A encounter was played before a sold-out crowd at Harare Sports Club.
Zimbabwe carry four points into the Super Six from the group stage, with the reality of qualifying for the 2023 ICC World Cup becoming a reality with each outing.
“We have talked about treating every game and opposition the same. Today (Saturday) has been quite an emotional day for everybody and it is not a long time before we have to come back and play again on Monday (today),” Chevrons’ captain Craig Ervine said.
“Thank you to all the supporters who came out and supported us. The crowd was absolutely phenomenal and hopefully we can see such a crowd again.”
The win was a result of spirited team effort after Ervine lost the toss for the first time in the Qualifiers, and his men were put in to bat first.
Ervine put up a solid opening partnership with opener Gumbie before the latter was trapped for 26 runs.
Wessly Madhevere, still struggling for form, departed for two runs, and the skipper followed three runs short of 50. Sean Williams left the crease for 23 runs.
Sikandar Raza (68) and Ryan Burl (50) put up a 100-run partnership before Burl was trapped LBW off a ball that appeared to have pitched outside leg stump.
With 250 appearing to be the most realistic total, Muzarabani (11) and Chatara (8) ensured that Zimbabwe got close to 270 with a 25-run partnership for the last wicket stand.
Staring down the barrel of defeat at the hands of the West Indies, the Chevrons summoned all their power and skill.
The fans on the other hand never took off their legs from the pedal and kept raving and cheering the team on.
Victory was achieved in the 44th over, with seamer Chatara taking his third wicket, while Raza, Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava all finished with two each.
West Indies captain Shai Hope was disappointed with dropped catches in the game.
“We let ourselves down in the field and that cost us. If we were asked to chase (that score) before the game, we would have taken it,” said Hope.
“There will be challenges, both on and off the field. We have to make sure we harden ourselves and understand what we have to do moving forward.”
Zimbabwe play their last Group A match at Harare Sports Club against the United States of America today before switching base to Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo for their three Super Six matches.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter