Sunday was the first day of Cricket World Cup Group A qualifying matches, and both West Indies and Zimbabwe came out on top over their respective opponents, the United States and Nepal, respectively.
West Indies were crowned world champions twice, but this time they were knocked out after scoring 297 runs in 49.3 overs. Despite losing their openers Brandon King and Kyle Mayers early on, West Indies were able to rally and win the match.
Nicholas Pooran also contributed with 43 runs, and the highest scorer was Johnson Charles, who had 66. Additionally, Jason Holder (56), Roston Chase (55), and Shai Hope (54), who was the captain, all scored more than 50.
Gajanand Singh made an unbeaten 101 off 109 balls for the US side, which included eight fours and two sixes. However, the chase was too much for the US team, and the West Indies came out on top as the victors by a margin of 39 runs.
Holder remarked, “We have to be disciplined and we have to stay calm,” while at the same time complimenting Singh’s effort with the bat.
“He played a really good knock to get his team closer to our total than they would have been without his contribution.”
Earlier in the day, Zimbabwe defeated Nepal by eight wickets thanks to hundreds batted without being defeated by both the captain, Craig Ervine, and Sean Williams, who batted together for 164 runs.
Ervine smashed 121 runs off 128 balls, including 15 fours and a six, while Williams hit 102 runs off 70 balls as Zimbabwe chased down an intimidating total score of 290. As a result, Zimbabwe reached 291 for the loss of two wickets with 35 balls remaining in their innings.
At the Harare Sports Club, Nepal’s openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh both scored 99 runs, which contributed to the team’s final score of 290 for eight wickets off of their allotted 50 overs.
In the end, Wellington Masakadza was the one who took Sheikh and Bhurtel’s wickets, while Richard Ngarava grabbed four wickets for 43 runs off of his nine overs.
Before Ervine and Williams gained hold of Nepal’s bowling assault, Zimbabwe suffered the loss of Joylord Gumbie (25) and Wessly Madhevere (32) in front of a huge crowd.
“We didn’t start off very well, and missed catches ultimately lost us the game, but kudos to the lads for bringing it back. Because the wicket appeared to be in great shape, we estimated that we would be able to chase down 280/290,” stated Ervine.
“I think it’s well played today, and a rest day tomorrow, and a quick turnaround when we play the Netherlands next on Tuesday.”
In the next round of matches in Group B, which will take place on Monday at Bulawayo, Sri Lanka will compete against the United Arab Emirates, while Ireland will play Oman.
Only two of the ten teams who competed in the qualifying that lasted for three weeks will advance to the World Cup, which will be held in India over the months of October and November.
West Indies were crowned world champions twice, but this time they were knocked out after scoring 297 runs in 49.3 overs. Despite losing their openers Brandon King and Kyle Mayers early on, West Indies were able to rally and win the match.
Nicholas Pooran also contributed with 43 runs, and the highest scorer was Johnson Charles, who had 66. Additionally, Jason Holder (56), Roston Chase (55), and Shai Hope (54), who was the captain, all scored more than 50.
Gajanand Singh made an unbeaten 101 off 109 balls for the US side, which included eight fours and two sixes. However, the chase was too much for the US team, and the West Indies came out on top as the victors by a margin of 39 runs.
Holder remarked, “We have to be disciplined and we have to stay calm,” while at the same time complimenting Singh’s effort with the bat.
“He played a really good knock to get his team closer to our total than they would have been without his contribution.”
Earlier in the day, Zimbabwe defeated Nepal by eight wickets thanks to hundreds batted without being defeated by both the captain, Craig Ervine, and Sean Williams, who batted together for 164 runs.
Ervine smashed 121 runs off 128 balls, including 15 fours and a six, while Williams hit 102 runs off 70 balls as Zimbabwe chased down an intimidating total score of 290. As a result, Zimbabwe reached 291 for the loss of two wickets with 35 balls remaining in their innings.
At the Harare Sports Club, Nepal’s openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh both scored 99 runs, which contributed to the team’s final score of 290 for eight wickets off of their allotted 50 overs.
In the end, Wellington Masakadza was the one who took Sheikh and Bhurtel’s wickets, while Richard Ngarava grabbed four wickets for 43 runs off of his nine overs.
Before Ervine and Williams gained hold of Nepal’s bowling assault, Zimbabwe suffered the loss of Joylord Gumbie (25) and Wessly Madhevere (32) in front of a huge crowd.
“We didn’t start off very well, and missed catches ultimately lost us the game, but kudos to the lads for bringing it back. Because the wicket appeared to be in great shape, we estimated that we would be able to chase down 280/290,” stated Ervine.
“I think it’s well played today, and a rest day tomorrow, and a quick turnaround when we play the Netherlands next on Tuesday.”
In the next round of matches in Group B, which will take place on Monday at Bulawayo, Sri Lanka will compete against the United Arab Emirates, while Ireland will play Oman.
Only two of the ten teams who competed in the qualifying that lasted for three weeks will advance to the World Cup, which will be held in India over the months of October and November.