*ZIMBABWE VS WEST INDIES MATCH 13 PREVIEW- ICC WORLDCUP QUALIFIERS 2023*
*THE BUILD UP:*
The stage is set. The fire is burning. We have a contest to watch out for as Zimbabwe and Windies, two of the strongest sides in this group, with the possibility of topping this group, are set to lock horns and come face to face against one another. The Hope led side weren’t as convincing in their first game however with a comeback due from them, they decided to stamp their authority with a dominating victory over Nepal, the latter being bowled out for 238, handing WI a massive win of 101 runs.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, have been clinically sound in both their encounters, thumping both Nepal and Ireland with perfect chases led by some of the best players in the business. Their batting has clicked, each of the batters have supported each other well and the fact that they have three centurions in this tournament already speaks volumes of the form they are coming in. One aspect which they’d like to work upon is their bowling, which has looked lack lustre at times and with a strong opponent like the WI on the other hand, it could well be ZIM’s Achilles heels.
A win tomorrow at the iconic Harare would be perfect if any of these teams are to send a message across before the Top 6 round actually begins. By all means, both would be keen on toppling the other.
*WI PROBABLE XI:*
Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Johnson Charles, Shai Hope (captain & wicketkeeper), Nicholas Pooran, Roston Chase, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Keemo Paul, Alzarri Joseph, Akeal Hosein
Pooran was at his destructive best the other day when WI were succesful in demolishing their opponents Nepal. He was aptly supported by Shai Hope, the skipper of the WI who build the innings nicely with a good tempo supporting it. I’d be backing this duo to come good once again because of the form they are coming from and how they seem to have adjusted well to these tracks and the conditions around. I expect this game to be a high scoring affair and if WI bat second, they’d have sealed this win half way already.
Kyle Mayers is a gun allrounder and a solid fielder but is yet to fire in this tournament. He was dismissed off a stunner last game but regardless his last two scores as an opener read- 2(15) and 1(4). Though he has been a decent bet on the bowling front, going at under 6 an over and picking up 3 in the process, he’d look to get back to his brutal best soon.
Excited to watch Jason Holder, an underrated gem of an allrounder who has been quietly performing to lead WI to success. He has adjusted nicely to these tracks, has been extracting bounce and bowling tight lines. The tall right armer has been too hot to handle for any of these sides, with him leaking a mere 70 runs for 4 wickets in the 18 overs that he has bowled so far in the ICC CWC Qualifiers. He holds the ability to wreck the top order of ZIM and they could falter with him likely to take the new ball.
*ZIM PROBABLE XI:*
Craig Ervine (captain), Clive Madande (wicketkeeper), Joylord Gumbie, Wessly Madhevere, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Tendai Chatara, Blessing Muzarabani
Richard Ngarava has been the pick of the lot, with him getting hold of 6 wickets in total, registering figures of 4/43(9.0) and 2/40(9.0) against Nepal and Netherlands respectively and proving how good a bowler he can be in these conditions. Harare is usually a flat track but looking at what Richard has been doing so far, WI could be in for a different kind of challenge. His height and the left arm angle with which he bowls would be a real treat to watch and I’m eager to see how the likes of Hope tackle him.
If there’s one player who can take the game away completely, by pitching in, in all the departments, then it’s without a doubt, the star all rounder Sikandar Raza. It does get repetitive to keep saying how astonishing a bet he is, but when he is in his groove(which he was vs NED), there’s absolutely no one who’s better than him. He becomes a legit beast, hunting alone, with pride and insane amount of success and the fact that he’s coming on the back of a classy ton and a 4-fer with only 55 going away from his bank, he’s a prospect that can be as dangerous as a lion.
*MY PREDICTIONS FOR THE GAME:*
*FOR WI:*
Highest run getter- Shai Hope/Brandon King
Highest wicket taker- Keemo Paul/Jason Holder
*FOR ZIM:*
Highest run getter- Sikandar Raza/Craig Ervine
Highest wicket taker- Richard Ngarava/Blessing Muzarabani
*FOR THIS GAME:*
ZIM to win a close one