It was heartbreak for hosts Zimbabwe at the World Cup Qualifiers in Harare on Tuesday as they crashed to a shock 31-run loss to Scotland at the Harare Sports Club to bow out of contention for a place in the 10-team World Cup in India later this year.
Having restricted the Scots to a modest 234-8 after winning the toss and, like every other team in the tournament, choosing to bat second in balmy conditions, Zimbabwe slumped to 91-5 before recovering to 164-6 with a fighting 83 from Ryan Burl but the Scottish bowlers held their nerve to place one foot in what would be their fourth World Cup appearance.
Scottish opening bowler and man-of-the-match, Chris Sole (3-33), produced one of the fastest spells in Associate nation history, regularly reaching speeds of 150kph to claim the first three Zimbabwe wickets to undermine the run-chase.
His victims included Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine (2) and the tournaments top-scorer, Sean Williams (12).
Zimbabwe had stormed through the group stages with a perfect four wins from four record but were outplayed by Sri Lanka, who have now qualified for the World Cup with a game to spare, before stumbling against Scotland to see their World Cup dreams turn to nightmares.For his fiery opening spell that fetched three crucial Zimbabwe wickets, Chris Sole has been adjudged the @aramco #POTM ??#CWC23 | #ZIMvSCO pic.twitter.com/31vxUJdi85
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) July 4, 2023
It leaves Thursday’s match between Scotland and the Netherlands as a straight shootout for the final place at the game’s showpiece event with the Scots holding the upper-hand.
Even if they lose to their European neighbours, they may still progress on the basis of a significantly superior net run-rate.
The Netherlands have four points in the Super Six stage of the tournament while Scotland have six following their victories against the West Indies and Zimbabwe.
Barring a heavy defeat against the Netherlands in Thursday’s match, they will be at the World Cup.
The Netherlands, however, will believe anything is possible having matched the West Indies’ 374-6 before winning the match in a remarkable Super Over.
Nepal posted a competitive 268-9 mostly thanks to an unbeaten 57 (42 balls) from number nine batter, Gulsan Jha, and appeared well on course for victory when Ireland limped to 134-5 in reply.
But Curtis Campher (62 from 59 balls) rallied the tail and the Irish ended a disappointing tournament on a high.