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Tendai Chatara struggled early on.
Zimbabwe cricket men’s national team head coach Dave Houghton told the media after the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 Group A match that Chatara is the best bowler his hoard has.
Sikandar Raza is Sikandar Raza. The starboy who gets it.
And on Saturday, in front of a vociferous Zimbabwe crowd, they came, saw and conquered.
By 11.30am the crowd was filled. Noone would be allowed in.
It created the cauldron.
On a sticky wicket, Zimbabwe made 269.
For the uninitiated, it looked a few. But it was a lot. And they won it meaning they remain unbeaten in their group.
Put in to bat, Zimbabwe started steadily with opening pair Joylord Gumbie (26) and Craig Ervine (47) putting on 63 before Keemo Paul pinned Gumbie lbw in the 16th over.
New batter Wessly Madhevere (2) and captain Ervine followed not long after, the latter mis-hitting a reverse sweep to extra cover to leave the Chevrons 90 for three.
But a valuable knock from Sean Williams (23), some superb stroke play from the evergreen Sikandar Raza (68) and a terrific half century from Ryan Burl (50) hauled Zimbabwe back to 199 for five.
West Indies twice dropped Raza with the 37-year-old on just two and eight, and they would regret to those chances as the all-rounder led the middle order revival from the hosts.
Raza eventually fell with just four overs remaining, pulling a slower ball from Kyle Mayers into the hands of Joseph, the man responsible for both prior drops.
Zimbabwe’s tail added ultimately vital runs at the death but West Indies started swiftly in their chase until Brandon King fell for 20.
Johnson Charles departed for a single but middle order contributions from Shai Hope (30), Nicholas Pooran (34) and Roston Chase (44) kept Windies on track.
But Zimbabwe fought back, Rovman Powell (1) trapped in front by Muzarabani before Tendai Chatara found the outside edge of Jason Holder (19).
The equation stood at 52 runs required from 9.5 overs, with three wickets in hand, but Raza dismissed Keemo Paul (1) and Chatara claimed the crucial wicket of Chase before finishing the job by removing Joseph in the 45th over.
Zimbabwe fans packed into Harare Sports Club, with many diverted to watch on the big screen at the adjacent rugby club when the venue reached capacity by 11am.
Capacity is 14 or 15 thousand depending on who you’re asking.
The overspill had about one thousand five hundred.
Ireland face must-win clash
Sunday brings two crunch fixtures in Group B.
Ireland, without a point to their name so far, must beat unbeaten Sri Lanka if they are to stand a chance of progressing to the Super Six stage, with the Lions knowing they will be assured of their spot if they win.
Scotland and Oman are also well placed to qualify and go head-to-head at Bulawayo Athletic Club.
Both sides have four points, though Oman have played a game more.
Scores in brief
Zimbabwe beat West Indies at Harare Sports Club, Harare by 35 runs
Zimbabwe 268 all out in 49.5 overs (Sikandar Raza 68, Ryan Burl 50; Keemo Paul 3/61, Alzarri Joseph 2/42)
West Indies 233 all out in 44.4 overs (Kyle Mayers 56, Roston Chase 44; Tendai Chatara 3/52, Richard Ngavara 2/25)
Netherlands beat Nepal at Takashinga Cricket Club, Harare by seven wickets
Nepal 167 all out in 44.3 overs (Rohit Paudel 33, Sandeep Lamichhane 27; Logan van Beek 4/24, Vikramjit Singh 2/20)
Netherlands 168/3 in 27.1 overs (Max O’Dowd 90, Bas de Leede 41*; Sandeep Lamichhane 2/60, Gulsan Jha 1/27)
Sunday June 25 – Fixtures
Group B
Ireland v Sri Lanka at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Oman v Scotland at Bulawayo Athletic Club, Bulawayo
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