ZIM VS NED - 5th Match, Group A, ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers 2023

Two successful run-chases in as many games for hosts Zimbabwe. They conceded 300+ today but they hardly broke a sweat in their chase. Ian Bishop, on air, termed the Zimbabwean all-rounder's performance, as 'Razball'. Mind you, he took four wickets with the ball before scoring a blistering century. Netherlands, as their captain mentioned, were poor in the field. They dropped five catches but it's just their first game of the tournament and they'll be keen to put a better show in their next outing. That's it for today. Tune in tomorrow for two Group B encounters. For now, goodbye...

Craig Ervine: The run-chase, we weren't particularly great with the ball again, but credit to Williams and Raza the way they just pretty much cantered through. The ball-striking from them was phenomenal. It was a little bit of a tricky start. It was a really good wicket. Once you get going, it;s difficult to restrict. We wanted to restrict them to 290-300, they got to 315, but we finished the innings really well. We were still happy with 315. It's tricky having so many (bowling) options. Some times it makes it harder to make the decision. Raza bowled exceptionally well and our spinners have been the key in the middle overs. We thought seam was becoming easier. We have got so many bowling options. Our seamers - Blessing - is one guy that you want to bowl 10 overs. Ngarava as well. It all depends on how things are going that day. Guys have played some realy good cricket over the last two games, we have to keep the momentum going.

Scott Edwards: Thought we had ourselves in the game at 315. That's definitely enough to win the game but it's a good wicket. We dropped catches, we weren't up to it today. They batted well, just disappointing. The conditions were different to what they were when we played here a couple of months ago. It was pretty good throughout the game. We had to bowl and field better. Raza is a serious batter. If their batters in the top-order get going, they can be dangerous. We didn't bowl our best and they capitalised. These tournaments come quick and fast, got to put it behind you. We have some positives. It's a long tournament.

Sikandar Raza | Player of the Match: As much as I'm smiling inside, the job isn't done. This team takes a lot of pride in the performance, we've promised our people about doing something special. We played 6 games against Pakistan 'A' recently, and we have scored 350+ thrice. Credit to the grounstaff for the pitches here, they've been really good. The platform was already set when I walked in and I just cashed in. It wasn't on my mind (about the century), the last few innings, I have made 30s and 40s five times, as long as the team wins, we don't care about individual performances. I'm happy for the boys, they are happy for me, we support each other. Thankful for god and for the people for the wonderful support.

16:07 Local Time, 14:07 GMT, 19:37 IST: Incredible performance from Zimbabwe in front of their fans. They chased down 291 against Nepal with 35 balls to spare. The target was bigger today and they've won this with 55 balls to spare. Chasing 316, the hosts got off to a good start with captain Ervine setting the tone upfront. He fell immediately after his fifty but in walked Sean Williams who kept the run-rate going. Gumbie wasn't fluent and got a couple of reprieves before falling to Shariz Ahmad for 40. The Dutch spinner nipped out Madhevere and Raza entered the arena at 162/3. He took the attack to the Netherlands bowlers and it was carnage from both ends. Williams, who scored a ton in the previous match, missed his century by 9 runs. But Raza kept going, hit three successive sixes off Shariz Ahmad and then smashed the record for the fastest century by a Zimbabwean batter in ODIs, bettering Williams's 70-ball hundred which was set only a couple of days ago.

van Beek to Raza, SIX, slow, full and in the slot, Raza waits for it and thumps it over wide long-off. Raza finishes off in style. Fastest century in ODIs for Zimbabwe! He punches the air in delight. Just 54 deliveries to reach the landmark and Zimbabwe have won by 6 wickets!

van Beek to Raza, 2 runs, walks down the pitch, moves leg-side in the process and heaves it to deep square leg. Hurries back for the second

Raza on 94, Zimbabwe need 5 runs to win...

van Beek to Raza, SIX, in-slanting short ball, Raza gets inside the line and hooks it superbly over fine leg

van Beek to Ryan Burl, 1 run, slower delivery, clipped to backward square leg

van Beek to Ryan Burl, no run, full on off, blocked

Logan van Beek [6.0-1-33-0] is back into the attack

Clayton Floyd to Raza, 2 runs, full toss, drilled to deep extra cover for a brace

Clayton Floyd to Ryan Burl, 1 run, fired in on leg, nudged to backward square leg

Clayton Floyd to Raza, 1 run, Raza shapes up for a mighty slog over mid-wicket and loses his shape in the process. Looks ugly and splices up towards long-off. O'Dowd settles under the skier around the long-off region but fails to hold onto the catch! Oh dear...

Clayton Floyd to Raza, no run, Edwards appeals for a catch, struck down. Yorker length outside off, Raza looks to sweep first and then decides to late-guide it towards third man. Misses and it goes past the outside edge

Clayton Floyd to Raza, no run, spinning away, a backing away Raza can't lay bat on ball as he looks to stab it away

Clayton Floyd to Ryan Burl, 1 run, worked with the spin to backward square leg

Clayton Floyd [6.0-0-37-0] is back into the attack

Shariz Ahmad to Raza, no run, the leg-break from Ahmad, Raza backs away and finds cover with the cut