Sikandar Raza's all-rounder show helped Zimbabwe beat the Netherlands in Match 5 [Source: Twitter]
Two red-hot in-form sides Zimbabwe and West Indies will lock horns in their Group A encounter in Match 13 of the ongoing ICC World Cup Qualifiers 2023 at the Harare Sports Club. Both teams are unbeaten and have won two matches apiece, with West Indies leading the point table due to a superior net run rate.
Team Preview: Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe have managed to pull off miraculous chases twice in as many games, with their key batters scoring majestic hundreds. Sean Williams, Craig Ervine, and Sikandar Raza have been in terrific form.
Raza, in particular, has been in top-notch form with both bat and ball. The all-rounder picked four wickets and slammed the fastest ODI hundred for Zimbabwe, in their last match against Netherlands.
The bowling has ably been spearheaded by Richard Ngarava, who is the tournament's joint-leading wicket-taker with six. However, others will need to step up when they face the Caribbean challenge.
Team Preview: West Indies (WI)
Captain Shai Hope and Nicholas Pooran stitched a 216-run stand against Nepal [Source: Twitter]
Former two-time World Cup winner West Indies have been the most formidable thus far. Led by Shai Hope, West Indies won both their matches by commendable margins against the United States of America and Nepal.
Nicholas Pooran and Hope displayed their brutal best in their last group A match, adding 216 runs against Nepal. The plethora of all-rounders like Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers, and Roston Chase are leading the way forward, with their impeccable performances.
A win against Zimbabwe will ensure Hope and Co. a top-two finish from Group A.
Match Details
Date and Time: June 23, 12:30 PM IST
Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare
Live Broadcast and Streaming: Star Sports Network & Disney+Hotstar
Pitch Report
All matches at Harare have been belters, with bucket-loads of runs being scored. Both tracks have been flatbeds, with hardly any assistance for bowlers, making batter play their spots quite freely. Expect a high-scoring encounter between these two in-form sides.
Probable Playing XIs
ZIM: Joylord Gumbie, Craig Ervine (c), Wessly Madhevere, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Clive Madande (wk), Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Tendai Chatara, and Blessing Muzarabani
WI: Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Johnson Charles, Shai Hope (wk & c), Nicholas Pooran, Roston Chase, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Keemo Paul, Alzarri Joseph, and Akeal Hosein
Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
Wicketkeeper: Shai Hope
Batters: Craig Ervine, Nicholas Pooran, Sean Williams, Roston Chase
All-Rounders: Sikandar Raza, Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers
Bowlers: Richard Ngarava, Alzarri Joseph, Wellington Masakadza
Captain: Sikandar Raza
Vice-Captain: Shai Hope
Prediction
West Indies are slight favourites, given their overall makeup of the side in comparison to Zimbabwe, despite their rich form.
 "Vishal Mehra")
