Harare (Zimbabwe): Logan van Beek’s super over heroics led Netherlands to a famous win over West Indies, who suffered their second consecutive ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 defeat.
Van Beek struck 30 with the bat before taking the ball and conceding just eight, leading his side to a victory which saw them finish second in Group A and take two valuable points into the Super Six stage.
Elsewhere, Sean Williams’ swashbuckling 174 helped Zimbabwe maintain their 100 per cent record as they beat USA by 304 runs.
Van Beek fires Netherlands past West Indies after spectacular super over
A Harare thriller saw both sides finish on 374 from their 50 overs, at which point van Beek took centre stage.
Having fallen falling to the final ball of the regular innings for a 14-ball 28 with just a single required, the all-rounder struck three sixes and three fours from the super over bowled by Jason Holder.
Holder had earlier held a brilliant catch to dismiss van Beek and force the unlikely tie but the Dutchman then seized control, removing Johnson Charles and Romario Shepherd with consecutive balls following his fireworks with the bat to decide the outcome.
The Windies started strongly with the bat after being put in as openers Johnson Charles and Brandon King (76) added 101 before the former was trapped lbw for 54.
Saqib Zulfiqar dismissed Sharmah Brooks (25) and King (76) in consecutive overs before another century stand, this time between Shai Hope and Nicholas Pooran, ended when Hope was caught on the rope looking to bring up a half-century with a maximum.
Pooran brought up his second consecutive century before kicking on with Keemo Paul as the Windies hammered 61 off the last five overs.
Netherlands openers Vikramjit Singh (37) and Max O’Dowd (36) added 71 inside 10 overs in reply but Roston Chase dismissed both as West Indies fought back.
Wesley Barresi (27) and Bas de Leede (33) kept Netherlands on track and after both were removed by Akeal Hosein, Teja Nidamanuru and captain Scott Edwards put on 143 from just 15 overs to set up a frantic finish.
Edwards (67) was first to go and the game was back in the balance when centurion Nidamanuru (111) picked out Chase at third man.
Aryan Dutt (16) and van Beek took the equation to five from as many balls but Joseph took two wickets at the death to force a super over.
Van Beek made no mistake at the second time of asking to lead his side to a momentous victory following their highest-ever ODI score.
A USA side hampered by the absence of Saurabh Netravalkar and Ali Khan were given a tough time by Zimbabwe’s captain as Sean Williams inspired the hosts to their latest victory.
After being put in by Monank Patel, Zimbabwe’s opening pair of Joylord Gumbie and Innocent Kaia started steadily, making 56 for the first wicket before Williams arrived at the crease.
He immediately set about dismantling the USA attack, hitting Nisarg Patel for three consecutive boundaries and brought up his 33-ball half-century with a six off Singh.
His century followed off just 70 deliveries but Gumbie’s luck ran out on 78 when was stumped off the bowling of Nosthush Kenjige.
Sikandar Raza was in an equally destructive mood, hitting 48 off 27 before Ryan Burl made a quickfire 47 from 16 deliveries.
Williams finally fell for 174 but, with 408 on the board, the stand-in captain had more than fulfilled his duties with the bat, while Zimbabwe’s bowlers then backed him up with a trio of early wickets putting them in a commanding position.
Richard Ngarava dismissed openers Steven Taylor (0) and Sushant Modani (6), starting a steady stream of wickets at regular intervals, with captain Patel (9), Aaron Jones (8) and Garjanand Singh (13) all departing as quickly as they had arrived.
Things went from bad to worse when Shayan Jahangir was run out without facing, just two balls after Jones had also been stranded.
Abhishek Paradkar (24) and Singh (21) offered some resistance but the Zimbabwe attack were on a mission to wrap up the contest as soon as possible and did so in the 26th over when Usman Rafiq was run out.
There is plenty to play for at both ends of the Group B table heading into the final round of fixtures.
One unbeaten record is set to fall as Sri Lanka play Scotland at Queens Sports Club, with the winner set to take a maximum four points into the Super Six stage.
The loser will not be out of contention but with only two places securing qualification for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, that match will have huge implications for both sides.
Elsewhere, Ireland and the UAE face off, with the victor set to finish fourth in the group and advance to the seventh-place play-off.
Scores in brief:
Zimbabwe beat USA at Harare Sports Club, Harare by 304 runs
Zimbabwe 408/6 in 50 overs (Sean Williams 174, Joylord Gambie 78; Abhishek Paradkar 3/78; Jessy Singh 2/97)
USA 104 all out in 25.1 overs (Abhishek Paradkar 24, Jessy Singh 21; Sikandar Raza (2/15, Richard Ngarava 2/25)
West Indies tied with Netherlands at Takashinga Cricket Club, Harare
West Indies 374/6 in 50 overs (Nicholas Pooran 104 not out, Brandon King 76; Saqid Zulfiqar 2/43, Bas de Leede 2/72)
Netherlands 374/9 in 50 overs (Teja Nidamanuru 111, Scott Edwards 67; Roston Chase 3/77, Akeal Hosein 2/73)
Netherlands 30/0 in Super Over (Logan van Beek 30)
West Indies 8/2 in Super Over (Logan van Beek 2/8). (UNI)