NED vs ZIM 5th Match, WCQ 2023

Chasing a competitive total of 316, Craig Ervine and Joylord Gumbie took the hosts to a sedate start as the Dutch bowlers were able to stem the flow of runs inside the first half of the powerplay. However, it didn't take the Zimbabwean skipper Ervine long enough to get into his element and break the shackles. Ervine continued where he left off in the previous game and cashed in on the looseners. Gumbie bided his time in the middle while Ervine went on an assault and completed his 19th half-century in ODI cricket. The 80-run opening partnership was broken by Vikramjit Singh as Ervine had to walk back for 50(48) courtesy of an excellent catch by Clayton Floyd. 

Sean Williams, the next batter in, also stepped on the gas straight away and pushed the Netherlands on the backfoot. Gumbie 40(55) was supplied a couple of lifelines but the right-hander failed to capitalize on that as Shariz Ahmad got rid of him a googly. Zimbabwe lost another wicket soon after as Wessly Madhevere was dismissed on 10(11) but Sikandar Raza once again rose to the occasion and snatched the game away from the Dutch. The left-right pair of Williams and Raza batted ferociously in the middle overs and swatted the bowlers all across the park.

The 84-run partnership for the fourth wicket was broken by Bas de Leede as the southpaw Williams had to walk back after an audacious knock of 91(58), which included 10 fours and 2 maximums to his credit. Raza continued to bat with an attacking mindset and made a mockery of this chase. The right-hander Raza completed his century in just 54 balls, which is the fastest by any Zimbabwean batter in ODI cricket. Raza aggregated a magnificent 102*(54) with the help of 6 fours and 8 maximums. Shariz Ahmad was the most successful bowler for the Netherlands but he leaked 62 runs in 6 overs.

Earlier in the day, after being invited to bat first, Vikramjit and Max O'Dowd registered their highest opening stand in 50-over cricket. O'Dowd completed his 9th half-century in ODI cricket before Sikandar Raza finally drew the first blood and broke the 120-run opening stand by dismissing O'Dowd 59(67). The golden arm of Raza delivered goods again as the right-arm spinner uprooted Wesley Barresi for 4(6). After losing two quick wickets, the right-handed Scott Edwards paired up with Vikramjit to revive the Dutch innings by adding 96 runs for the 3rd wicket. 

Both Vikramjit and Edwards batted with controlled aggression and they were dictating the play with precision but it was Sikandar Raza again who provided two breakthroughs in quick succession and changed the complexion of the game. Vikramjit holed out in the deep for 88(111) before Raza had the woods over Bas de Leede 4(8). Skipper Edwards kept pegging away and brought out heaps of reverse paddles. He accumulated a well-constructed 83(72). Saqib Zulfiqar also chipped in with 34*(31) and helped his side go past the 300-run mark. Sikandar Raza mixed his pace well and bagged his career-best ODI figures (4/55).

Stick around for the post-match presentation!