Zimbabwe registered a comfortable 6-wicket win over the Netherlands in the ODI World Cup Qualifiers, thanks to Sikandar Raza‘s bedazzling all-round show. Raza went all guns blazing in the qualifier match against the Netherlands, scoring a feisty hundred and picking up a four-wicket haul to steer his team to victory.
The Netherlands won the toss and elected to bat first, putting up 315 runs on the board for Zimbabwe to chase. Raza however was the standout bowler for the hosts who managed to pick up four wickets, dismissing Netherlands’ top order.
While chasing down the target, Raza was the star for Zimbabwe along with skipper Sean Williams. Raza scored the fastest century for Zimbabwe in ODI history.
Sikandar Raza steals the show!
Zimbabwe restricted the Netherlands to 315 and in reply, saw victory with nine overs remaining, on the back of Sikandar Raza’s blazing 54-ball 102, including six fours and eight sixes. The 37-year-old in the twilight of his career, also shined with the ball in the first innings picking up four important wickets and giving away just 55 runs.
Fans hailed Raza for his stupendous show.
SIKANDAR RAZA, THE MVP OF ZIMBABWE.102*(54) with the bat while chasing 316 runs & 4 for 55 with the ball against Netherlands in the World Cup Qualifiers. What a player for big stages. pic.twitter.com/5nifckctjl— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 20, 2023
Sikandar Raza today became the first Zimbabwe player to take a 4-fer and score a century in the same ODI. Not only that, he made the record for the fastest century ever for a Zimbabwe player (Men’s) in ODIs— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) June 20, 2023
Zimbabwe started off the chase well with their openers, Craig Ervine and Joylord Gumble putting up an 80-run stand. Skipper Sean Williams also contributed with a vital 58 ball 91.
The Netherlands were handed a disappointing loss in the WC Qualifiers and Zimbabwe look like a strong team moving ahead to find a spot in the ODI World Cup.
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