What a second day it was for ICC World Cup Qualifier 2018. A day filled with emotions and agony of minnows followed by thriller between big giants. It’s a very sad fact to know that, only two teams among these inspiring 10 teams will be seen competing in ICC World Cup 2019 scheduled to be held in England&Wales.
Most inspiring, yet unsung story of the day was UAE putting up a hard fight against West Indies. There wasn’t too much to cheer for UAE in the first half of the day as destructive West Indies’s batting line-up put up a mammoth total on board. Winning the toss, West Indies opted to bat first on Harare’s flat track.
West Indies posted a massive total of 357 runs in stipulated 50 overs of play with daddy hundred from Shimron Hetmyer (127) and Chris Gayle (123). It was a tough time for UAE’s bowlers as the world’s recognizing destructive batting line-up took over them. Chasing down the target, they put up hard fight against Windies’s tall and lengthy bowlers and scored 297 runs with the lost of 6 wickets in inscribed 50 overs. Rameez Shahzad led their chase with unbeaten 112 (107)* that included 9 fours and 4 sixes. Literally, they lost the match by 60 runs but they succeed to send a statement to ICC in bold letter. With more exposure and standard opposition, Associate Cricket can improve their skill massively.
Another story of the day was Brian Vitori impressive last over which provided second consecutive victory for a host, Zimbabwe. Afghanistan went into the penultimate over needing 4 runs with a wicket in hand. But Vitori (2-31) held his nerves and pulled off a victory for his nation. Earlier, winning the toss, Zimbabwe opted to bat first. Despite batting collapse, the host put up 196 runs on board with the help of Brendon Taylor’s gutsy (89) and Sikandar Raza’s (60). Rashid Khan (38-3) and Mujeeb Zadran (49-3) topped the bowing chart for Afghans.
Chasing down the total, Afghanistan were on command-able position with 156-4 in 34th over but at the end, player of the match Raza (40-3) and Blessing Muzarabani (47-4) help the d host to stand tall on a nail-biting thriller with 2 runs victory.
Other matches brief score
Hong Kong vs Scotland Toss – Scotland (Field) HK (91/10)(38.2) Nizakat Khan 26(40) Alasdair Evans (19-3) SCO – (96/6) (23.3) Kyle Coetzer 41(60)* Ehsan Khan (29-3) Scotland won by 4 wickets.
PNG vs IRE Toss – IRE (Field) PNG – (235/10) (50) Tony Ura 151(142) Andy Mcbrine (38-3) IRE – (237/60) (49.1) William Porterfield 111(133) Assad Vala (39-2) Ireland won by 4 wickets.
