ZIM VS SCO ODI

Right then, we will not be seeing Zimbabwe and West Indies in India for the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup! Scotland are bulldozing their way through to an elusive spot in the mega event later this year. The ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers has been a thrilling affair so far and the action continues on Wednesday 5th of July for match number 7 in the Super Sixes. Two sides who are sitting at the bottom of the table, West Indies and Oman will face off and play for pride at the Harare Sports Club. The first ball will be bowled at 12.30 pm IST (7 am GMT) but as you know our build-up will begin well in advance. Do join us for it and until then, goodbye and cheers!

Richie Berrington, the captain of Scotland says that the lads gave their best and it was certainly their best performance. Adds that the fight they showed was fantastic and he is really pleased that Sole got the Man of the Match award. He says that they knew it was going to be a tough game and they need to come back stronger against the Netherlands. He says that he believes in his team and it is important they give their best. Ends by saying that the crowd was amazing and he is thankful for their support.

Craig Ervine, the skipper of Zimbabwe says that they had restricted Scotland to a good score but the start from Chris Sole was difficult to take. He adds that they fell short by some runs and everyone is really gutted. Says that it was unfortunate and they will remember this for a long time. Adds that he is proud of his team and there are many positives to take away from this. He ends by saying that they are thankful to the crowd and that cricket has changed a lot in Zimbabwe.

Chris Sole is the player of the match for his three early wickets that set the tone for a Scotland win. He says that he did what he could and the result turned out great. He adds that the crowd here was fantastic and they need to focus on the next game against the Netherlands. Ends by saying that it feels special to beat Zimbabwe in their backyard and they will cherish it.

Time for the presentations...

Scotland got off to a watchful start as they had a 56-run opening partnership that took 97 balls to get. Christopher McBride, Matthew Cross, Brandon McMullen, and George Munsey all made handy contributions but could not capitalize on their starts. Michael Leask scored 48 runs in 34 deliveries and along with Mark Watt helped push the target beyond the 200-run mark and gave their bowlers something to defend. Sean Williams was really good with the ball as he claimed three crucial wickets and Tendai Chatara picked up two on his return to the side. Zimbabwe would have been confident of achieving this target at the halfway stage but early wickets had them on the backfoot in the run chase.

Then came the recovery as Wesley Madhevere joined Burl out in the middle and scored an attacking 40 as the two added 73 runs for the sixth wicket. Mark Watt trapped Madhevere plumb in front of the stumps to take a wicket in each of his last 13 innings. Brandon McMullen was brought into the attack and he got rid of Wellington Masakadza before a double strike from Michael Leask had the Scottish side on the brink of a win. Ryan Burl's wicket was the final nail in the coffin and Safyaan Sharif claimed to last wicket to become the first Scotland bowler to take 100 wickets which was the cherry on top of their performance in this game. Zimbabwe had been unbeaten but two consecutive defeats have broken their dreams.

Scotland could not have asked for a better start as Chris Sole dismissed Joylord Gumbie on the first ball of the inning and began the defense of the mediocre target in style. Things got better for the Scots when Sole picked up another in his second over to send the Zimbabwe skipper back to the hut. When Sean Williams was dismissed, Scotland found themselves right on top of their opposition. Brandon McMullen was rewarded for some stump-to-stump bowling as he caught Innocent Kaia in front on the wicket and had Zimbabwe reeling at 37 for the loss of four wickets. A 54-run partnership between Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl pushed them close to the 100-run mark but Raza was dismissed on 34 by Chris Greaves.

SCOTLAND HAVE TOPPLED YET ANOTHER FULL MEMBER! They have pulled off a massive upset once again and if they continue to make a habit of this, it will not be considered an upset for much longer. The Scots have condemned Zimbabwe to a damning 31-run loss that sees the hosts eliminated and they will not participate in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup. Scotland now move to similar points on the table with Zimbabwe but find themselves in the second spot due to a superior run rate. The hosts have played all their games now and even if Scotland lose by a massive margin to Netherlands, the Dutch will sneak past them and qualify.

OUT! TIMBER! THAT IS IT! On a length and on off, angling in, Tendai Chatara looks to block it but misses it completely as the ball hits the stumps. Stunned silence here at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo as Scotland beat Zimbabwe by 31 runs!

Bowls it down leg, Blessing Muzarabani misses his flick and gets rapped on his pads. A stifled appeal but turned down.

Lands it on off, Tendai Chatara flicks it uppishly towards mid on for one.

Tossed up, and on off, Tendai Chatara leans forward and blocks it away.

Bowls it outside off, Tendai Chatara eases it to point.

Touch short and on off, Tendai Chatara blocks it to mid on.

Lands it on off, Blessing Muzarabani tucks it to square leg for one.