Sikandar Raza etched his name in the record books as he powered Zimbabwe to a resounding six-wicket victory over the Netherlands in an ICC World Cup qualifier match. Raza’s unbeaten 102 off just 54 balls propelled Zimbabwe to chase the target of 316 runs in a mere 40.5 overs.
The win against the Netherlands, following their triumph over Nepal in Group A, puts Zimbabwe in a strong position to secure a spot in the Super Six stage of the tournament. Raza’s century, achieved in record-breaking fashion, marked the fastest ODI hundred for Zimbabwe. His innings were filled with eight towering sixes, showcasing his power-hitting abilities. Captain Craig Irvine contributed with a solid half-century (50), while Sean Williams played a crucial knock of 91 runs.
Batting first, Netherlands set a challenging target of 315 for six, thanks to notable half-centuries from Vikramjeet Singh (88), Scott Edwards (83), and Max O’Dowd (59). Vikramjeet and O’Dowd provided a strong start with a 120-run opening partnership, but Raza broke the stand by dismissing O’Dowd. Vikramjeet combined with Edwards for a 96-run partnership before Raza struck again to dismiss Vikramjeet. Raza ended the innings with impressive figures of four wickets for 55 runs.
Nepal displayed a dominant bowling performance in another match, bundling out the USA for 207 runs. Karan KC was the standout bowler, claiming four wickets for 33 runs. Despite the low total, Shayan Jahangir fought valiantly for the USA, scoring an unbeaten century off just 79 balls. Gulshan Jha also contributed with two wickets for 52 runs. Nepal comfortably chased the target, scoring 211 runs for losing four wickets in 43 overs. With their respective contributions, Bhim Sarki and Dipendra Singh Airey guided Nepal to victory.
‘My Relationship With Dhoni And Virat Kohli…’, Gautam Gambhir’s Bold Statement After The Verbal Fight In LSG vs RCB Game
As the ICC World Cup qualifier progresses, the performances of players like Sikandar Raza, Karan KC, and Shayan Jahangir highlight the competitive spirit and talent on display. The tournament continues to witness thrilling encounters as teams battle for a coveted spot in the Super Six stage, keeping fans engaged and eagerly awaiting exciting cricketing action.
