Zimbabwe is back in big time. The African nation has qualified for the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup once again. They got the better of Scotland by five wickets in their final Group B match in Hobart on Friday (October 21), to make it to the next round of the competition. With the win over Scotland, Zimbabwe also reached the top spot in Group B and thus, by virtue of it, sealed a place in Group 2 of the Super 12 stage, where they will now face India and Pakistan, along with South Africa, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands.
According to the tournament’s rules, the winner of Group B and runners-up of Group A were supposed to be part of Group 2 in the Super 12 stage. And by finishing at the top, Zimbabwe secured that opportunity. Zimbabwe last featured in the T20 World Cup during the 2016 edition of the tournament in India and now, after a gap of six years, they will again take the centerstage
In their final Group B game at Bellerive Oval in Hobart, Zimbabwe were up against Scotland and had to win the game in order to make it to the next round. And despite having a poor start in the 133-run chase, they bounced back and, riding on Sikandar Raza’s 23-ball 40, chased down the total in 18.3 overs for the loss of just five wickets.
Raza was again the star for the African side as, apart from his 40-run innings, he also picked up one wicket in four overs and conceded just 20 runs. And if that was not enough, then he also took a spectacular catch in the first over of the match to send Scotland’s opening batter, Michael Jones, back to the dugout.
For his sensational display on the field, Raza won the Player of the Match award. He will now look to take his ace form to the Super 12 round, where the challenge will be tougher than the first round.
Zimbabwe will open its campaign in the Super 12 stage against South Africa on Monday (October 24) at Bellerive Oval in Hobart and will then face Pakistan in Perth on Thursday (October 27).
Their third game will be against Bangladesh on Sunday (October 30) at The Gabba in Brisbane, after which they will take on The Netherlands on November 2 at the Adelaide Oval. The Craig Ervine-led side’s final Super 12 match will be against India at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on November 6.
