With Sri Lanka already securing their place within the World Cup after defeating Zimbabwe, the hosts had a chance to safe the second spot with a victory over Scotland in Bulawayo.
However, Scottish quick bowler Chris Sole proved to be a key determine, dismantling Zimbabwe’s prime order and ending with spectacular figures of 3-33. Despite their efforts, Zimbabwe fell in need of the goal of 234, ultimately being bowled out for 203.
As a outcome, Scotland now discover themselves in a winner-takes-all state of affairs, with a vital match in opposition to the Netherlands figuring out which workforce will safe the ultimate spot within the World Cup.
“Our boys have been fantastic. Credit to the way the lads played today,” mentioned Scotland captain Richie Berrington.
“The way we came out and showed faith in the second innings and get those early wickets was fantastic.”
Berrington added: “It’s a quick turnaround to the game against the Netherlands. We’ll take a lot of confidence but it’s going to be a tough game.”
“It’s a very difficult pill to swallow,” Berrington’s Zimbabwe counterpart Craig Ervine acknowledged.
“I thought we did well to restrict them to 230. Unfortunately that first initial spell from Sole really put us on the back foot and just made it hard for us to recover from that position.”
Leask prime scored with a 34-ball 48 as Scotland racked up 234 runs for eight wickets off their allotted 50 overs.
Coming in at quantity eight, he mixed with Mark Watt (21 not out) for a useful eighth-wicket partnership of 46 after the Scots had been left reeling at 170-7.
Three different batsmen — Matthew Cross (38), Brandon McMullen (34) and George Munsey (31) — all received into the 30s, however didn’t construct on their time on the crease.
Sean Williams grabbed 3-41 off his 10 overs, however didn’t shine with the bat as Zimbabwe have been rapidly decreased to 37/4 within the run chase, underneath intense strain from Sole.
Wessly Madhevere hit 40 and the harmful Sikandar Raza 34 as Zimbabwe fought again.
Ryan Burl gave the host nation most hope, nonetheless, hitting 83 off 84 balls.
But Burl crucially fell to the off-break of Leask, who additionally had a wise catch off his personal bowling to dismiss Richard Ngarava.
The Scotsman ended with 2-33 off six overs and his workforce left the sector understanding {that a} victory over the Dutch on Thursday would see them headed for India within the Autumn.
For Zimbabwe it was a case of deja vu after an identical failure in 2018 qualifiers when additionally they wanted to win solely one among their final two matches to qualify for the World Cup. They misplaced in each video games in each 2018 and 2023.
“It’s always nice to put those demons from 2018 behind us and had we gotten over the line today, nobody would have been asking about that but unfortunately, we didn’t,” mentioned Ervine.
(With AFP inputs)
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com