CRICKET: Hosts Zimbabwe knocked out of World Cup qualifiers by Scotland

By Cricbuzz.com

Hosts Zimbabwe suffered a stunning 31-run defeat at the hands of Scotland in the Super Six match at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Tuesday (July 4) to be knocked out of contention for a spot in the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Scotland, who have a game left against Netherlands, need to only avoid a heavy defeat in that match to book a spot alongside Sri Lanka for the main event to be held in India in October-November.

Reduced to 29/3 in a chase of 235, Zimbabwe were left playing catch-up quite early in their innings, with the in-form Sean Williams falling for 12.

Sikandar Raza got off to a good start but his dismissal for 34 left the hosts at 91/5. Ryan Burl and Wessly Madhevere added 73 for the sixth wicket as they tried to revive the chase.

But Madhevere’s wicket meant that Burl had to play a lone hand as he was running out of support from the other end. Burl, who struck a four and a six off Michael Leask, fell in the same over as he departed dejected after scoring a valiant 83.

The required rate wasn’t a problem for Zimbabwe but they lost too many wickets and ended up getting bowled out for 203, leaving their hopes shattered.

Earlier, after being asked to bat, Scotland’s top-order batters came up with useful contributions to set the tone for the innings. But Zimbabwe kept chipping away, thanks to Williams’s three-wicket haul, as they left the opposition at 170/7 at one stage.

But Michael Leask’s 48 off 34 deliveries helped Scotland post a competitive score, and he later helped defend it with his two wickets after Chris Sole, who bowled a fiery spell, softened Zimbabwe up by dismissing three of the top four.

Brief scores: Scotland 234/8 in 50 overs (Michael Leask 48, Matthew Cross 38; Sean Williams 3-41) beat Zimbabwe 203 in 41.1 overs (Ryan Burl 83, Wessly Madhevere 40; Chris Sole 3-33) by 31 runs.