Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
Zimbabwe made their presence felt for the second time in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 and the biggest difference was that this time it was on a winning occasion. They lost to South Africa but could have forced a different result but this time against United Arab Emirates there was no mistake from the Zimbabweans and they got their deserved result.
Batting first UAE managed to set up a formidable target of 286 runs for the Africans. It could have easily been more than that had the Arabians not lost wickets at regular intervals. The credit obviously goes to the Zimbabwean bowlers for they kept taking wickets at regular intervals and checked the progress of runs. Shaiman Anwar top scored for UAE with 67 runs off just 50 deliveries. But there were considerable contributions from other batsmen as well. Chatara picked up three wickets while Mire and Williams picked up couple of wickets each.
Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
In reply Zimbabwe made a strong start as Sikandar Raza and Regis Chakabva put up a 64-run opening partnership. Hamilton Masakadza could not repeat his heroics in the last match which was on a losing cause but it did not give them much of a trouble for Sean Williams had made sure that Zimbabwe crossed the finishing line. Craig Ervine’s brisk innings of 42 runs in the lower middle order made the job easier for Williams. UAE did their best to turn on the tables in their favour but they lacked firepower to force that result and in the end it was a defeat for them by 4 wickets which perhaps could not have avoided.
This win for Zimbabwe shows that they have got it within themselves to make it to the last eight. An upset here and there and they can find themselves within striking range. Because, I repeat, you never know in cricket, the most unthinkable can happen any moment.
Tags: ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
