Zimbabwe produced a remarkable performance to defeat the favored West Indies by 35 runs in an exhilarating match at the Harare Sports Club. The Zimbabwean team got off to a solid start as Joylord Gumbie and Criag Ervine capitalized on the new ball.
However, a minor collapse left them in a rebuilding phase until Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl formed a crucial partnership of 87 runs for the fifth wicket. Despite some missed opportunities by the West Indies fielders, Zimbabwe managed to reach a competitive total of 268.
During the West Indies’ chase, Tendai Chatara initially struggled with his bowling but made a remarkable comeback by dismissing the dangerous Jason Holder.
The West Indies lost their openers early but found stability through Kyle Mayers and Shai Hope, who built a 64-run partnership. However, the game turned when Wellington Masakadza removed Mayers and Raza dismissed Hope. Chatara’s wicket of Holder shifted the momentum in favor of Zimbabwe, and he continued to take wickets, dismantling the West Indies’ lower-order.
Zimbabwe’s victory was the result of their determined batting performance, capitalizing on the dropped catches by the West Indies fielders, and a spirited bowling effort led by Chatara.
Brief Scores: Zimbabwe 268 in 49.5 overs (Raza 68, Burl 50, Ervine 47; Keemo Paul 3-61) beat WI 233 in 44.4 overs (Mayers 56; Chatara 3-52, Ngarava 2-25) by 35 runs
