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Captain Craig Ervine stormed from the front scoring an unbeaten 121 as Zimbabwe began their 2023 World Cup qualification campaign with a comfortable eight-wicket win over Nepal here on Sunday.
Zimbabwe captain Ervin joined Shaun Williams (102 not out) as centuries from the batsmen propelled the hosts to an eight-wicket victory over Nepal, while chasing 291.
And a few miles along the way in the Zimbabwean capital, Jason Holder and Shay Hope helped the West Indies to a straight 39-run victory over the United States after scoring 297.
Ervin and Williams lead the hosts to an emphatic victory
Man of the match Ervin provided the captaincy as his century led Zimbabwe to victory over Nepal.
Irvine and Williams – whose hundred was 70 balls was the fastest by a Zimbabwean player in One Day International cricket – combined efforts to build a crucial 164-run partnership as the hosts confidently chased down 290 for Nepal’s eight, which was led by Kushal Bartel’s pioneering film. 99 at the top of the ranking.
The West Indies proved to be very strong in fighting the USA
Holder, Hope, Johnson Charles and Roston Chase combined to lead the West Indies to a 39-run victory over the USA at Takachinga Sports Club.
All four West Indian stars made their maiden half-centuries and despite Jaganand Singh’s brilliant reply for the Americans, two wickets each by Kyle Myers and Azari Joseph helped limit the underdogs to a total of 258 for seven.
US Captain Monank Patel chose to participate first in a decision to reap immediate – and astounding – rewards southwest of Harare.
Patel needed just 2.1 runs to make the breakthrough as left arm seamer Saurabh Netravalkar locked LBW without scoring.
And it became one just two three overs later when Kyle Phillip bowled Myers to reduce Hope’s stuttering side to 14 for two.
Hope and Charles soon began to rebuild the innings, building a polished partnership of 115 as both batsmen racked up half-centuries.
But both were dismissed in quick succession as Hope (54) fell to Notosh Kingiji and Stephen Taylor caught Charles for 66.
Chase and Nicholas Pooran continued to come to the Americans as the seasoned pair put together an important 50-run partnership.
Boran managed an impressive 43 off just 28 balls – including three sixes – while Chase (55) hit a half-century off the ball.
Netravalkar, Phillip and Taylor soon began to bowl down the West Indies lower order as Holder’s heroics at the other end – 56 off just 40 balls – helped salvage his side’s innings.
Taylor and Sushant Mudani initially looked comfortable in reply before Holder made a breakthrough and unleashed a flurry of early wickets.
He unseated West Indian businessman Mudani in eighth place before Myers joined the party to sack both Taylor and Patel.
Joseph helped make further forays into the American Middle Order, but they met great resistance from a combination of Singh, who made a fighting century, Cheyenne Jahangir and Nostosh Kingiji.
The fluent left-hander brought up his hundred in the final innings after Jahangir made 39, Kingiji finishing on 34 not out at the end.
But the seasoned West Indies attack proved too strong for the Americans as the two-time ODI World Cup champions got their campaign off to the perfect start.
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