tawandamusarurwa
Online Reporter
ZIMBABWE were knocked out of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup Qualifiers when they fell to a 31-run defeat to Scotland in their final Super Six stage match at Queens Sports Club on Tuesday.
The defeat brought back the trauma of the three-run defeat (under Duckworth Lewis Method) to the UAE in 2018, which effectively ended the Chevrons dream of qualifying for the 2019 ICC Men’s World Cup in England.
In both cases, Zimbabwe were the hosts and also fell by the wayside in must-win matches.
Sadly, a defiant half-century by Ryan Burl was not enough to upstage Scotland, who put up a blinder of a performance in the field to defend what was presumably a sub-par total of 234 for eight.
Skipper Craig Ervine won the toss and sent Scotland in to bat, after which the Europeans could only muster 234 runs for eight during their allotted 50 overs.
In-form Sean Williams was the pick of the Chevrons’ bowlers, as he finished with three for 41 runs, while Tendai Chatara chipped in with two wickets for 46.
All-rounder Michael Leask top-scored for Scotland with 48 runs.
At the halfway mark, the Chevrons’ task was simple – chase down the target or get eliminated.
However, the hosts got their chase off to the worst possible start as Chris Sole removed both openers – Joylord Gumbie (0) and Ervine (9) – early on to leave Zimbabwe struggling at 13 for two after three overs.
This put the Scots firmly in control, as wickets fell at regular intervals, with Innocent Kaia (12) and Williams (12) barely putting a dent in the chase.
A fifth-wicket stand between Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl stabilised the Chevrons’ chase, as the two put up 54 runs off 61 balls, after which Burl and Wesley Madhevere put up 73 runs off 74 balls for the sixth wicket.
They momentarily turned the pendulum towards Zimbabwe’s favour.
Unfortunately, a lapse in judgment by Raza, who went for the haymaker once too often, and a great ball that trapped Madhevere leg-before-wicket broke the partnership and effectively the match as a contest.
To his credit, Burl tried his level best to help Zimbabwe towards the finishing line with a defiant 83 runs off 84 balls.
His wicket, however, turned out to be the final nail in the coffin when he went for the one big shot too many and got caught by Brandon McMullen off the bowling of Leask.
Zimbabwe finish their Super Six games with six points and third behind Scotland, who have a superior net run rate.
The winner of Thursday’s match between Scotland and the Netherlands will now join Sri Lanka in both Sunday’s final and the ICC Cricket World Cup in India later this year.
Online Reporter