Sean Williams struck a second consecutive hundred as Zimbabwe cruised to a 14-run win over Oman in the Super Six stage of the ICC World Cup Qualifiers here on Thursday, taking the hosts closer to the 50-over showpiece in India.
In their first match here, Zimbabwe maintained the form they had shown in Group A and got the better of Oman, with Williams continuing her impressive form. After winning four out of four matches in the group stage, the hosts now have six points in the Super Sixes, thanks to four points awarded to Queens Sports Club and two additional points. (With West Indies’ World Cup qualification already in tatters, here’s another blow)
Oman fought hard with a century from Kashyap Prajapati, but could never quite maintain the momentum in their attempt to chase down a target of 333.
In five innings of the tournament, Williams scored three centuries and a 91, and he was on course to defeat Oman once again. His brilliant innings of 142 runs in 103 balls helped Zimbabwe to post 332 for seven when asked to bat first.
Williams came to the crease after captain Craig Ervine (21) was bowled by Kalimullah (1/39), soon after Joylord Gumby (25) dismissed Fayyaz Butt (4/79), leaving Zimbabwe with two wickets in hand. But 48 runs were done.
A 64-run partnership with Wesley Madhevere (23) started the rebuild and Williams and Sikandar Raza (42) put on 112 for the fourth wicket to lay the foundation for a mammoth total.
Fayyaz removed both set batsmen, lbw to Ryan Burl (13), but Zimbabwe Still looking in good shape at 276 for six with five overs remaining. And some big hitting from Luke Jongwe took him to an even bigger score, requiring only 28 balls to score an unbeaten 43 – an innings that proved crucial in the end.
Prajapati batted with intent from the outset and took an early lead of 29 runs before being dismissed by Jatinder Singh and contributing just two runs.
This brought Aaqib Ilyas to the crease, and with Kashyap’s initiative, the pair added 83 runs. Raza had Aqib caught for 45, before a 44-run partnership with Zeeshan Maqsood ended when the skipper was forced to retire hurt due to a hamstring injury. While going to sweep.
With the required rate rising, it looked like Kashyap would have to hold on till the end, but a brilliant catch by Raza off Blessing Muzarabani brought an end to his 97-ball 103.
This left Oman needing 142 runs in 15 overs, a task made more difficult when Shoaib Khan was caught and bowled for 11 by Richard Ngarwa.
Ayan Khan, however, was not one to give up without a fight and scored 47 off 43 balls before being caught in the deep by Muzarabani in the 45th over. Kalimulla then caught Jongwe juggling at the boundary line, where he had to loft the ball twice before completing the remarkable catch as he stepped over the rope.
Mohammad Nadeem (30 not out) gave his all to take Oman close to a famous victory, but their run was almost over when they needed 29 runs from the last over. Zeeshan (37) returned and hit a six and a four in the last over to take Oman to their highest ODI score, but fell 14 runs on the last ball.