1st ODI, Harare, March 21, 2023, 12:45 PM
Zimbabwe
249/10(47.3ov)
Netherlands
255/7(49.5ov)
Netherlands beat Zimbabwe by 3 wickets
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Teja Nidamanuru
Commentry
Right then, that's all from this game. Netherlands have bounced back in a fighting manner and have taken the lead in the series 1-0. On the other hand, it was a learning curve for Zimbabwe and they need to start afresh in the second game and rectify the mistakes they did in this game. The second ODI of the series will be played on Thursday, 23rd of March. The first ball will be bowled at 1.00 pm IST (7.30 am GMT). As always, you can join us in advance for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!
Teja Nidamanuru is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his match-winning century. He says that the team combination is such that he bats at number 7 which gives a nice balance. Adds that you dream about these moments and he is excited and proud of this effort. Mentions that the plan was to build partnership and take the game deep which they were able to do. Tells that Wellington Masakadza bowled well and Zimbabwe were good, but is happy that they got the better of them.
Scott Edwards, the victorious skipper of Netherlands says it hasn't sunk in yet as a victory after this long feels really good. He adds that we were holding on to a little bit of faith after the dismissal of Colin Ackermann but Teja Nidamanuru and all did sensationally and helped the team over the line. Tells that victory in the first game feels so good that too after being way ahead in the start and getting to chase down such a total it feels good. Closes by saying that it feels amazing to break the jinx of defeats on a trot and is delighted at the moment.
Craig Ervine, the captain of Zimbabwe says that Netherlands quicks used the conditions really well, but it was a great innings from Clive Madande. Adds that there was extra bounce, but it got better slightly. Tells that they could have bowled a bit better a tighten up things, but dropping catches always hurts you. Praise Teja Nidamanuru for his excellent innings and hopes that they put on a better performance in the field in the next game. Informs Sean Williams will be fit for the second ODI.
Presentation Time...
After being asked to bat first Zimbabwe started off poorly and were 7 down on a score of 98 but the tail wagged and wagged in some style as they built partnerships and helped the team to score 249 before getting bundled out. Wicket-keeper Clive Madande was outstanding for the hosts as he was the last to depart on a score of 74. For the visitors it was Fred Klaassen that stood out on top as he took 3 wickets and was very well supported by Paul van Meekeren as he grabbed a couple too. Brandon Glover, Vikramjit Singh and Shariz Ahmad took a wicket each as well.
In reply to the target set by the hosts, Netherlands started off in the same fashion and lost wickets on a regular basis and the scoring rate was not good either as they were 5 down for 64. It was then for Colin Ackermann to stable the ship and score a good half-century. The tail wagged for the visitors as well as a century from Teja Nidamanuru helped the team to get across the line and get the much-awaited victory ever since June 2021.
What a superb victory for Netherlands! In a game where the tail wagged for both, it is Netherlands who came out on top and takes the lead in this 3-match ODI series. The maximum from Paul van Meekeren gives the Dutch their first away victory in ODI since 2014 and the first one in ODI since June 2021. Teja Nidamanuru has played a knock he would remember for the rest of his life helped by a perfect cameo from Paul van Meekeren who hits the winnings runs.
In over# 50
6
1
0
1
1
Brad Evans 30/1(5.5)
49.5
6
SIX! BANG! Paul van Meekeren finishes things off in style! Brad Evans lands this short and on middle, Paul van Meekeren swivels and pulls it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie. NETHERLANDS WIN BY 3 WICKETS!
49.4
1
SCORES LEVEL! This is overpitched and on off, Teja Nidamanuru drills it wide of md off where the fielder dives to his right to stop it. A single is taken.
49.3
.
A dot ball! Brad Evans nails the yorker again, on middle, Teja Nidamanuru only manages to dig it back to the bowler. This game is not for the faint hearted.
49.2
1
DROPPED! A tough chance though! This is back of a length and on off, Paul van Meekeren slaps it uppishly towards short covers where Gary Ballance is late to react and lets it through. They cross. Netherlands need 2 runs now!
49.1
1
Brad Evans finds the yorker, on off, Teja Nidamanuru digs it out through covers for a single.
Brad Evans will be bowling the last over. Netherlands needs 4 form the last over to win.
In over# 49
2
2
4
1
6
0
Blessing Muzarabani 49/0(10)
48.6
2
Overpitched and on middle, Paul van Meekeren whips it to the left of deep mid-wicket now for a brace. The fielder slides to his left to make the stop there.
48.5
2
Blessing Muzarabani nails the yorker now, on middle, Paul van Meekeren stills manages to squueze it out wide of deep mid-wicket and comes back for the second.
48.4
4
FOUR! Clever shot! Blessing Muzarabani lands this on a hard length and around off, Paul van Meekeren shuffles across and heaves it towards the deep backward square leg fence for a boundary. He is playing the field well here.