World Cup Qualifiers 2023 | Scotland Knocks Zimbabwe Out Of World Cup Qualification Race
Scotland pipped Zimbabwe in a low-scoring thriller [Source: Twitter]
It's Deja vu for the Zimbabwe Cricket Team and their fans as, for the second time in as many tournaments, the home side failed to book their ticket for the 50-over World Cup, with a chastening 31-run defeat to Scotland spelling the end of their campaign in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers 2023 on Tuesday.
In what was a must-win game for the African nation, the Zimbabwean batting once again choked when it mattered the most as they were bowled out for 203 in the 42nd over in their pursuit of 235.
Chasing 235, Zimbabwe got off to the worst possible start as right-arm seamer Chris Sole took three out of their top-4, leaving them reeling at 4/37.
All-rounder Sikandar Raza (34 off 40) and Ryan Burl (83 off 84) tried to resurrect the ship with a 54-run-stand before Chris Greaves dismissed the former.
Burl continued to hold one end and got decent support from Wesley Madhevere, who also chipped in with a 39-ball 40.
The duo added 73 runs for the 6th wicket, but another collapse ensued once Madhevere was dismissed by Mark Watt.
Burl tried to take his team to as close to the total as possible, but he eventually fell to Leask in an attempt to do an encore of the six that he had struck on the previous delivery of 39th over.
His dismissal sealed Zimbabwe's fate, and the heartbreaking moment for their fans came shortly in the 42nd over when Safyaan Sharif bowled Tendai Chatara.
This defeat means that Zimbabwe can no longer qualify for the World Cup. The final spot will be decided when Scotland take on the Netherlands on July 06.
 "Yash Mittal")
