NED vs ZIM 2nd Match, ZIM vs NED 2023

In pursuit of 272, openers Vikramjit Singh and Max O'Dowd started the Dutch innings on a blistering note. The left-right stepped on the gas straightaway and gained momentum for the Netherlands in the chase. O'Dowd was the leading figure in the partnership and kept swatting boundaries frequently in the field restrictions while Singh also played well off the backfoot and kept rotating the strike. 

The 41-run opening stand was ceased by Blessing Muzarabani as the left-handed Singh walked back for 14(25) attempting a loose stroke. Tom Cooper, the next batter in, soaked in the pressure of the fallen wicket but the experienced batter was unable to rotate the strike. The deceleration also applied pressure on O'Dowd and gradually escalated the asking rate.

Tendai Chatara did generate an opportunity when Cooper was batting at 34 but the gloveman Clive Madande dropped a sitter. Following that, both the right-handers went after the spinners as the partnership between O'Dowd and Cooper kept thriving. Both the batters got to their respective half-centuries and accelerated the innings at the right juncture. 

Just when the partnership was cruising the Netherlands to an effortless victory, a quick throw from skipper Craig Ervine ran out Cooper 74(84) and closed the 125-run stand between the duo. Following Cooper’s wicket, the Zimbabwean bowlers were exceptional to keep the Dutch batters under wraps and Raza attained the massive wicket of O'Dowd 81(103), who succumbed to the dot ball pressure. 

The Netherlands must be eyeing a comeback after O’Dowd’s wicket, but Wesley Madhevere had other arrangements. The young bagged a sensational Hat-Trick in the 44th over and changed the situation completely. Madhevere achieved this feat by dismissing Colin Ackermann 28(36), the centurion of the previous match Teja Nidamanuru 0(1), and Paul van Meekeren 0(1). The Dutch could never really recover from Madhevere’s Har-trick as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals, and in the end, the total was a little too much for the tourists.

Earlier in the day, after winning the flip and electing to bat first, skipper Craig Ervine and Wesley Madhevere spearheaded the innings for the Chevrons and cruised them to 57/0 after the powerplay. Just when the Netherlands were questing a desperate breakthrough, the southpaw Ervine 39(42) attempted a reckless shot and lost his woods to Colin Ackermann. Gary Ballance walked in at number three and the left-hander tried to continue the momentum forward but the former English batter was trapped in front at 14(20) by Paul van Meekeren. 

Reeling at 120/5, Sean Williams got together with Clive Madande and resurrected the Zimbabwe innings by stitching up a spectacular 104-run partnership for the 6th wicket. The left-hander Williams was the primary figure in the partnership and stepped on the gas to exert pressure on the visitors. Williams brought up his 33rd half-century in ODI cricket and kept dictating the play at a swift rate before Shariz Ahmad once again swung the pendulum. 

Ahmad dismissed well-set Williams for 77(73), and trapped Brad Evans with another googly to attain his maiden five-wicket haul in ODI cricket. Since then, Zimbabwe kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Madande registered another half-century before he was outdone by a shorter delivery. Eventually, it was Blessing Muzarabani’s cameo of 17*(16) at the backend of the innings that helped the home side post a respectable total. Stick around for the post-match presentation!