ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers: Zimbabwe beats Oman in thriller

ICC Cricket world cup qualifiers move to the super six, in which Zimbabwe beats Oman in a thriller opening encounter by 14 runs to begin their campaign.

Oman chooses to bowl after winning the toss at Queen’s sports club, Bulawayo.

Zimbabwe batting first posted a total of 332/7 with likes of Sean Williams scoring a massive 142 on 103 balls after both their openers fell for 48. Sikander Raza also played an impactful innings of 42 runs and Luke Jongwe scoring 43 on 28 to uplift their score past 300.

Fayyaz Butt had the best bowling figures of 4/79 in his 10 overs in the whole match, while any other Oman bowler failed to create an impact by bowling.

In the reply, Oman batters played some solid cricket; opener Kashyap Prajapati scored 103 on 97 balls, created an impact in the match and kept Oman alive till the last over. Aquib Ilyas and Aayan khan played important innings to keep their team in game.

It was their captain Zeeshan Maqsood who got his hamstring hurt while attempting a sweep shot, due to which he had to take treatment, he joined Mohammad Nadeem, limping, who was hitting the ball very well and scored 18 ball 30 in the second last over but his effort was in vain as the captain failed to hit in the end, only able to score 37 on 40 balls which caused the match to Oman.

Tendai chatara and Blessing Muzarabani both took 3 wickets to help Zimbabwe win the game and procced in the super six.

Sean Williams was awarded man of the match for his century.

Oman captain spoked about how they didn’t capitalize on their chance while bowling he added that they should have fielded better and have caught some more catches.

Zimbabwe has next to play Sri Lanka in match number 4 on 2 July and Oman to play Netherlands on 3 July at Harare.