Zimbabwe transfer one step nearer to World Cup qualification

A second successive century from Sean Williams fired Zimbabwe to a 14-run victory over Oman within the Super Six stage of the ICC World Cup Qualifier right here on Thursday because the hosts inched nearer to the 50-over showpiece in India.

In their first match right here, Zimbabwe carried the shape they confirmed in Group A to get the higher of a preventing Oman, with Williams persevering with his stellar run.

After successful 4 out of 4 matches within the group phases, the hosts at the moment are as much as six factors within the Super Six, because of their 4 factors carried over and an extra two picked up on the Queens Sports Club.

Perched comfortably on the high 🇿🇼✨

Zimbabwe are on 🔥 on the #CWC23 Qualifier 👌 pic.twitter.com/mlyUW3WxMg

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 29, 2023

Oman battled exhausting, with a century from Kashyap Prajapati, however may by no means fairly sustain with the speed as they tried to chase a goal of 333.

In 5 innings on the event, Williams has notched up three centuries and a 91, and he was at it as soon as once more to take down Oman.

A superb 142 from 103 balls set the platform for Zimbabwe to attain 332 for seven after being put into bat.

Williams got here to the crease after skipper Craig Ervine (21) was bowled by Kaleemullah (1/39), with Joylord Gumbie (25) following shortly afterwards to Fayyaz Butt (4/79) to depart Zimbabwe at 48 for 2.
A 64-run stand with Wessly Madhevere (23) began the rebuild, and Williams and Sikandar Raza (42) then added 112 for the fourth wicket to put the muse for an enormous rating.

Great leisure as 🇿🇼 wins a cliffhanger in opposition to Oman, by 1⃣4⃣ runs, to be a win away from World Cup qualification. 👏#ZIMvOMA | #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/ElQIEIxr4w

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) June 29, 2023

Fayyaz eliminated each the set batters, both facet of trapping Ryan Burl (13) leg earlier than, however Zimbabwe have been nonetheless trying good on 276 for six with 5 overs remaining. And some massive hitting from Luke Jongwe carried them to a fair larger complete, needing simply 28 balls to crash an unbeaten 43 — a knock that proved essential in the long run.

Prajapati batted with intent from the phrase go, dominating a gap stand of 29 earlier than Jatinder Singh fell having contributed simply two.

That introduced Aqib Ilyas to the crease, and with Kashyap taking the initiative, the pair added 83. Raza had Aqib caught behind for 45, earlier than a 44-run stand with Zeeshan Maqsood ended when the skipper was pressured to retire damage having injured his hamstring whereas going for a sweep.

With the required charge rising, it felt like Kashyap would want to remain till the top however a shocking catch from Raza off Blessing Muzarabani ended his knock on 103 from simply 97 balls.

That left Oman needing 142 from 15 overs, a activity made trickier when Richard Ngarava eliminated Shoaib Khan caught and bowled for 11.

Ayaan Khan was not going to go down with no battle although, and smashed 47 off simply 43 deliveries earlier than he was caught within the deep off Muzarabani within the forty fifth over.

Kaleemullah then adopted, caught on the boundary by Jongwe with a juggling try the place he twice needed to toss the ball into the air as he stepped over the rope earlier than finishing the exceptional catch.

Mohammad Nadeem (30 not out) gave it his all to take Oman nearer to a well-known victory however once they wanted 29 off the ultimate over, their race was all however over.

Zeeshan (37) returned and smashed a six and a 4 off that final over, taking Oman to their highest ODI rating, however they completed 14 runs quick as he fell off the ultimate ball.