Zimbabwe continued their winning streak in the ICC ODI World Cup Qualifier 2023 with a comprehensive six-wicket win over the Netherlands at the Harare Sports Club on Tuesday, June 20. Standout performer Sikandar Raza brilliant all-round performance, brilliant performance. An unbeaten 102* off just 54 balls and took four wickets.
Four Wicket Hall _
Zimbabwe’s fastest ODI centurySikandar Raza is @aramco #potam From #ZIMvNED ,#cwc23 pic.twitter.com/YSWvskRfYE– ICC (@ICC) June 20, 2023
In their first qualifier match, the Netherlands posted a respectable score of 315/6 after electing to bat first. Vikramjit Singh led the scoring with 88 off 111 balls, which was ably supported by Max O’Dowd’s brilliant 59. However, Raza gave Zimbabwe the breakthrough in the 21st over by dismissing both the openers.
Netherlands captain, Scott Edwards also scored a quickfire 83 off 72 balls to ensure his team crossed the 300-run mark. Raza was the standout bowler for Zimbabwe, finishing with figures of 4/55. Despite the challenge, Zimbabwe responded strongly by chasing down the target. Captain Craig Ervine set the tone with a 48-ball 50 while veteran Sean Williams, who scored a century against Nepal in their previous match, added 91 runs from just 58 balls.
Nevertheless, it was Raza who stole the show with his remarkable unbeaten century, hitting six fours and eight sixes at a strike rate of 188.88. His outstanding performance helped Zimbabwe reach the target with six wickets and 55 balls to spare, the fastest international century by a Zimbabwean cricketer and Raza’s seventh ODI century.
In another match on the same day, Nepal registered a comfortable six-wicket win over the United States, securing their first win in the qualifier tournament. After losing four early wickets and struggling for 18 runs, the USA put on 207 batting first at the Takashinga Sports Club. Pakistan-born 28-year-old batsman Shayan Jahangir scored his maiden international century for the United States, scoring an unbeaten 100 off 79 balls. Nepal’s fast bowler Karan KC took four wickets for 33 runs.
Nepal faced a challenging start to their innings but were guided by Bhim Shakti’s unbeaten 77 off 114 balls. Star all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airey made a crucial contribution of 39 not out to help Nepal chase down the target in 43 overs. With the win, Zimbabwe claimed top spot in Group A, having won both their opening matches. Nepal, with their first win, climbed to the third spot in the group standings.