ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers 2018 - Discussion Thread

[Gunner786]

Do these matches have odi status?

 

[Saj]

AFG looking good for a win today finally with Nepal 194 all out.

West Indies 257/8 against Ireland

Zimbabwe looking good 263/9

 

[UN talkz]

Windies vs Ireland

WI 257/8 (50 Ovs)

Batting

Rovman Powell 101(100)
Holder(c) 54(71)

Bowling

Murtagh 4/41
Andy McBrine 2/45

IRE 198/7 (44 Ovs)

Batting

Ed Joyce 63(86)
Kevin O Brien 38(36)

Bowling

Roach 4/27
Holder 2/44

 

[UN talkz]

Zimbabwe vs Hong Kong


ZIM 263/9 (50 Ovs)
Batting

Masakadza 84(110)
Brendan Taylor(wk) 46(51)

Bowling

Nawaz 4/47
Aizaz Khan 2/41

HK 174/10 (46.5 Ovs)

Batting

Anshuman Rath 85(117)
Scott McKechnie(wk) 18(48)

Bowling

Raza 3/30
Jarvis 2/20

 

[UN talkz]

Netherlands vs PNG

NED 217/8 (50 Ovs)

Batting

Sikander Zulfiqar 53(65)
van der Merwe 38(41)

Bowling

Mahuru Dai 2/29
Charles Amini 2/36

PNG 159/10 (42.1 Ovs)

Batting

Assad Vala(c) 44(58)
Kiplin Doriga(wk) 32(58)

Bowling

van der Merwe 4/46
Fred Klaassen 2/25

 

[UN talkz]

Nepal vs Afghanistan

NEP 194/10 (49.5 Ovs)

Batting

Khadka(c) 75(82)
Dipendra Airee 32(41)

Bowling

Nabi 4/33
Rashid Khan 3/45

Afg 195/4 (38.4 Ovs)

Batting

Najibullah 52(47)
Rahmat 46(75)

Bowling

Dipendra Airee 2/25
KC Karan 1/25

 

[thelandofthebravepeople]

Ireland loss to WI means they have no point yet they can take to super 6.

 

[MenInG]

An eye-catching maiden century by Rovman Powell steered the Windies into the Super Six of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018 with a convincing 52 runs victory over Ireland in a Group A match, while Zimbabwe also maintained their unbeaten run in Group B and progressed to the next stage with an 89 runs victory over Hong Kong on Saturday.

In front of broadcast cameras and nearly 2,000 spectators at the Harare Sports Club, Powell scored a dazzling less than run-a-ball 101 with seven fours and as many sixes to lift the Windies from 83 for five to 257 for eight. He featured in an 86-run sixth-wicket partnership with captain Jason Holder, who hit three fours and a six in a 71-ball 54.

Fast bowler Tim Murtagh was the pick of the Ireland bowlers with figures of 10-2-41-4, while Andy McBrine picked up two for 45.

Windies fast bowler Kemar Roach then picked up two early wickets of Paul Stirling (18) and Andrew Balbirnie (9) and then returned to dismiss the dangerous looking Ed Joyce (63, 86b, 7x4) and Kevin O’Brien (38) in a space of four deliveries to finish will figures of 10-3-27-4 as Ireland slipped from 166-4 to 205 all out in 46.2 overs. Kesrick Williams too did his part as he got rid of the lower-order batsmen, taking four for 43 in 8.2 overs.

In the other Group A fixture at the Old Hararians, the Netherlands kept their chances alive for a place in the Super Six when they defeated Papua New Guinea by 57 runs in their first-ever meeting. Roelof van der Merwe starred in the Dutch victory when he contributed 33 in his side’s 216 for eight and then returned figures of 10-0-46-4 as PNG were dismissed for 159 in 42.1 overs.

This result means Monday’s matches between the Netherlands and the Windies, and Ireland and the United Arab Emirates will decide which two sides will join the two-time former world champions in the Super Six.

In a Group B match at the Queens Sports Club, Hamilton Mazakadza scored a 110-ball 84 with seven fours and a six, Brendan Taylor hit four fours in a 51-ball 46 and a 25-ball cameo by opener Cephas Zhuwao, which included six fours and three sixes, propelled Zimbabwe to an imposing 263 for nine.

Hong Kong’s Anshuman Rath fought a lone battle scoring 85 but wickets continued to fall at the other end until the Asian side was bowled out for 174 in 46.5 overs. Sikandar Raza was the most successful bowler with three for 30, while Kyle Jarvis, Graeme Cremer and Sean Williams took two wickets apiece.

Zimbabwe will now take on defending champions Scotland on Monday and the winner of the match will take four points into the Super Six, while the loser will go through with two points.

Hong Kong’s defeat also gave a lifeline to Afghanistan, who defeated Nepal by six wickets after Mohammad Nabi took four for 33 and then scored 34 in their last group match. They will now await the result of the Hong Kong versus Nepal match to know their fate.

If Nepal beat Hong Kong on Monday, Afghanistan, Hong Kong and Nepal will be tied on one win apiece, then the side with the better net run-rate will go through. After Saturday’s matches, Afghanistan has a net run-rate of +0.038, Hong Kong is on -1.26 and Nepal are -1.54.

A Hong Kong win will put them into the Super Six ahead of Afghanistan on points.


Scores in brief:

Windies beat Ireland, Harare Sports Club (Group A)

Windies 257-8, 50 overs (Rovman Powell 101, Jason Holder 54, Shimron Hetmyer 36; Tim Murtagh 4-41, Andy McBrine 2-45)

Ireland 205 all out, 46.2 overs (Ed Joyce 63, Kevin O’Brien 38, Niall O’Brien 34; Kemar Roach 4-27, Kesrick Williams 4-43, Jason Holder 2-49)

Player of the match – Rovman Powell (Windies)


The Netherlands beat PNG by 57 runs, Old Hararians (Group A)

Netherlands 216-8, 50 overs (Sikander Zulfiqar 53 not out, Roelof van der Merwe 38, Scott Edwards 27, Ben Cooper 26; Pieter Seelaar 23; Alei Nao 2-28, Mahuru Dai 2-29, Charles Amini 2-36, Norman Vanua 2-53)

PNG 159 all out, 42.1 overs (Assad Vala 44; Kaplin Doriga 32 not out, Roelof van der Merwe 4-46, Fred Klaassen 2-25, Shane Snater 2-22)

Player of the match - Roelof van der Merwe (the Netherlands)

Zimbabwe beat Hong Kong by 89 runs, Queens Sports Club, (Group B)

Zimbabwe 263-9, 50 overs (Hamilton Mazakadza 84, Brendan Taylor 46, Cephas Zhuwao 45, Solomon Mire 20; Ehsan Nawaz 3-47, Aizaz Khan 2-41, Ehsan Khan 2-51)

Hong Kong 174 all out, 46.5 overs (Anshuman Rath 85; Sikandar Raza 3-30, Kyle Jarvis 2-20, Graeme Cremer 2-42, Sean Williams 2-44)

Player of the match – Hamilton Masakadza (Zimbabwe)

Afghanistan beat Nepal by six wickets, Bulawayo Athletic Club, (Group B)

Nepal 194 all out, 49.5 overs (Paras Khadka 75, Dipendra Airee 32, Gyanendra Malla 23, Aarif Sheikh 23; Mohammad Nabi 4-33, Rashid Khan 3-45, Shapoor Zadran 2-32)

Afghanistan 195-4, 38.4 overs (Najibullah Zadran 52 not out, Rahmat Shah 46, Mohammad Nabi 34, Javed Ahmadi 26, Rashid Khan 21; Dipendra Airee 2-25)

Player of the match – Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan)




Fixtures for Monday (matches start 09h30 local time; games involving the Netherlands and Nepal will be classified as List-A matches as the two sides don’t have ODI status coming into this tournament):


o Windies v Netherlands, Harare Sports Club; Shaun George and Michael Gough (on-field), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid (fourth umpire), Graeme La Brooy (match referee)

o Ireland v UAE, Old Hararians; Simon Fry and Langton Rusere (on-field), Jeremiah Matibiri (reserve umpire), Devdas Govindjee (match referee)

o Hong Kong v Nepal, Bulawayo Athletic Club; Chris Brown and Joel Wilson (on-field), Iknow Chabi (reserve umpire), David Jukes (match referee)

o Zimbabwe v Scotland, Queens Sports Club; Paul Wilson and Gregory Brathwaite (on-field), Adrian Holdstock (reserve umpire), Shahit Wadvalla (match referee)

 

[MMHS]

Ireland loss to WI means they have no point yet they can take to super 6.

I think, IRL already has 4 points from 2 wins & can go to 6 points, if they beat UAE in last game and they'll go to Super Six with 2 guaranteed points.

AFGs are not out actually yet - if Nepal beats Hong Kong in last game, based on NRR, one of AFG or Nepal will go to Super Six (HNK are out, if they lose to Nepal), but none will carry any points from group stage, therefore they'll need to win all 3 Super Six games to make the Final.

 

[Test champion]

if nepal win today then any chance of afgan to qwalify for next round??

 

[TalhaSyed]

if nepal win today then any chance of afgan to qwalify for next round??

Yup a Nepal win vs HK - which is looking extremely likely at this stage - will put Afg through to the next round!

Nepal havent managed to win a single game so far, however today may be the day.

2 games going on in this group

- Zim VS Scot - the winner end the group on top with 8 points and the loser 2nd with 6.

- HK vs Nepal - if HK win they go through, however a Nepal win puts Afg through

 

[Test champion]

come on nepal win this game so my afgan bro cn qwalify

 

[letme alone]

Yup a Nepal win vs HK - which is looking extremely likely at this stage - will put Afg through to the next round!

Nepal havent managed to win a single game so far, however today may be the day.

2 games going on in this group

- Zim VS Scot - the winner end the group on top with 8 points and the loser 2nd with 6.

- HK vs Nepal - if HK win they go through, however a Nepal win puts Afg through

from now on, there is tough situation for judge. afh needs praying for Nepal win

 

[Test champion]

nepal only need 36 run with 5 wickets in 16 over .can they get it?

 

[thelandofthebravepeople]

Nepal won.
I think the other teams would have fancied Hong Kong instead of Afghanistan.

 

[DeadBall]

So AFG sneak in. What do they have to do now in order to qualify?

 

[thelandofthebravepeople]

So AFG sneak in. What do they have to do now in order to qualify?

They need to win all 3 games with huge net run rate and then they depend on other results.

 

[JattMaula]

They need to win all 3 games with huge net run rate and then they depend on other results.

So it's almost impossible considering the super six teams?

 

[WengerOut]

So AFG getting inspired by Pak !!! Start badly and then decimate every opponents to win title !

 

[thelandofthebravepeople]

So it's almost impossible considering the super six teams?

Actually the equation is not impossible.

Ireland carries 2 points and Wi 4
Scotland 2 and Zimbabwe 4.

If Afghanistan win all 3 games Ireland can max get 6 points, that would be the same as Afghanistan.

Then they would need WI or Zimbabwe to lose 2 games.

Zimbabwe can easily lose to WI and Ireland.

Afghanistan first of all need to win 3 games and that too with big nrr which talking current form into consideration is impossible.

 

[JattMaula]

Actually the equation is not impossible.

Ireland carries 2 points and Wi 4
Scotland 2 and Zimbabwe 4.

If Afghanistan win all 3 games Ireland can max get 6 points, that would be the same as Afghanistan.

Then they would need WI or Zimbabwe to lose 2 games.

Zimbabwe can easily lose to WI and Ireland.

Afghanistan first of all need to win 3 games and that too with big nrr which talking current form into consideration is impossible.

If only team had 2 more points.

Is this the first real underachievement of Afghan team?

 

[TalhaSyed]

Scotland & Zimbabwe end in a tie!

Thrilling match!

Safyaan gets MOTM for his 5 wicket haul.

Scotland, Zim and Afg go through.

Scotland & Zim carry forward 3 points whilst Afg carry forward 0.

 

[TalhaSyed]

Unless Netherlands pull of something remarkable, it's looking like the starting line up for the Super 6 stage will be:

West Indies - 4 points
Ireland - 2 points
UAE - 0 points
Scotland - 3 points
Zimbabwe - 3 points
Afghanistan - 0 points

We will seethe following games in the Super 6 stage InshAllah

WI vs Scot
WI vs Zim
WI vs Afg
Ire vs Scot
Ire vs Zim
Ire vs Afg
UAE vs Scot
UAE vs Zim
UAE vs Afg

I fully expect WI to win all 3 of their games and end up on 10 points.

Zim, Scot, Ire will fancy their chances to take the 2nd spot since they are carrying forward a few points.

UAE & Afg will need to play out of their skins and possibly have a few results go their way in order to progress to the 2019 WC

 

[MMHS]

With the ZIM-SCT tie, AFG has the qualification back at their hand - NRR is almost out of equation now, unless there is more Tie/Wash-out.

As of now (considering WI & IRL wins their last games), Super Six stands like this

Group A: WI 4, IRL 2, UAE 0
Group B: ZIM 3, SCT 3, AFG 0

Next round games are
WI Vs ZIM, SCT & AFG
ZIM Vs IRL, UAE
SCT Vs IRL, UAE
IRL Vs AFG
AFG Vs UAE

1. WI can only miss out certainly if they lose all 3 games. Even 1 lose can take them. They'll miss out is they lose both games to SCT & ZIM (And they win 1 more game against IRL, UAE)

2. For AFG - it has to 3 wins and expect that IRL doesn't win other 2 games. IRL is going to smash UAE, who are also qualifying, means IRL will take a massive positive NRR to Super Six - AFG's won't beat them in NRR if both ends with 6 points, unless they win all 3 Super Six games by big margin.

3. For UAE, it's even tougher - 3 wins is a must and expect that WIN loses all 3, IRL 2 & both SCT & ZIM don't win their other 2 games

4. Rest 3 are at same level - IRL 1 point ahead, but that hardly matters if they lose to SCT &/or ZIM

At this point, my odds (for qualifying)

1. WIN: 10-1 (overwhelming favorites)
2. ZIM: 1-2 (they are 2nd favorite because of being host)
3. SCT: 2-5 (They need to beat UAE & tie with IRL)
4. IRL: 1-3 (Apart from 1 point less, they have 3 tougher games compared to 2 for SCT)
5. AFG: 1-10 (probably equal chance to WIN missing out)
6. UAE: 1-1000 (Near impossible odd)

 

[MenInG]

 

[aloo paratha]

Still makes me mad how it's only a 10 team tournament. At least 4 of these teams deserve to make it.

 

[TalhaSyed]

Still makes me mad how it's only a 10 team tournament. At least 4 of these teams deserve to make it.

Absolutely agree.

Shocking decision by the ICC IMO.

 

[MenInG]

Mar 12, 2018 - 20th Match, Group B at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Zimbabwe 210 (46.4/50 ov)
Scotland 210 (49.1/50 ov)
Match tied


Mar 12, 2018 - 18th Match, Group A at Old Hararians, Harare
Ireland 313/6 (44 ov)
United Arab Emirates 91 (29.3/44 ov, target: 318)
Ireland won by 226 runs (D/L method)


Mar 12, 2018 - 17th Match, Group A at Harare Sports Club
West Indies 309/6 (48 ov)
Netherlands 167/6 (28.4 ov, target: 222)
West Indies won by 54 runs (D/L method)


Mar 12, 2018 - 19th Match, Group B at Bulawayo Athletic Club
Hong Kong 153 (48.2/50 ov)
Nepal 155/5 (40.4/50 ov)
Nepal won by 5 wickets (with 56 balls remaining)

 

[MenInG]

Afghanistan, Ireland and the United Arab Emirates reached the Super Six stage of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018 in contrasting styles on the final day of the group matches on Monday to join defending champions Scotland, two-time former world champions the Windies and hosts Zimbabwe.

In Group A, the Windies beat the Netherlands by 54 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern Method when they scored 310 for six in 48 overs and then left the Netherlands struggling at 167 for six in 28.4 overs in front of broadcast cameras to put the ICC World Cricket League Championship winners out of the Super Six race. Ireland extended their unbeaten run against the United Arab Emirates to six matches when they won by 226 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern Method but the Asian side still progressed with two wins as compared to the Netherlands’ one win, while in Group B, Nepal did a massive favour to Afghanistan when they beat Hong Kong by five wickets which meant Afghanistan moved on owing to a better net run-rate despite losing their first three matches.

In the final Group B fixture, Zimbabwe stretched their unbeaten run to 28 matches in the history of the tournament when they tied their last match against Scotland at the Queens Sports Club. Chasing 211 for victory, Scotland had the game in hand when they needed two runs to win off seven balls with two wickets left. But they lost both their remaining wickets for one run as both the sides finished on 210.

Monday’s results mean the Windies will carry maximum four points in the Super Six stage, Ireland two and the UAE zero, while Zimbabwe and Scotland will carry forward three points apiece and Afghanistan none. The sides will also retain their pre-event group seeding in the Super Six stage, whose fixtures which were finalised after minor changes and following the Event Technical Committee’s approval.

Following the conclusion of the group matches, Scotland and the UAE have retained their ODI status for the next four years until 2022, while the third Associate Member team to keep the ODI status will be confirmed following the seventh to tenth position play-offs. The Netherlands have already qualified for the new 13-team ODI League commencing in 2020.

At the Old Hararians, captain William Porterfield and Paul Stirling bettered their opening partnership record as Ireland rattled 313 for six in 44 overs against the UAE. The two batsmen put on 205 runs after being sent in to bat, improving their 177-run stand during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 against the Netherlands in Kolkata.

Porterfield missed his 12th career century by eight runs when he was dismissed for 92 from 103 balls with 10 fours and two sixes, but 27-year-old Stirling notched up his seventh career century and first against the UAE when he was dismissed after scoring 126. His blistering innings included 15 fours and five sixes from 117 balls.

Kevin O’Brien then hit a quick-fire 26-ball 50 not out with seven fours and a six as Ireland finished at 313 for six from their 50 overs.

The UAE, in their turn, collapsed like a house of cards against Boyd Rankin, when the lanky fast bowler returned figures of 6-2-15-4 as the side from the Sheikhdom was dismissed for 91 in 29.3 overs. Off-spinner Simi Singh finished with three for 15, his best bowling in five ODIs.

The pace and spin combination of Safyaan Sharif and Michael Leask recorded career-best figures of five for 33 and four for 37, respectively, as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 210 in 46.4 overs with Craig Ervine scoring 57 and Brendan Taylor scoring 44.

Scotland were cruising at 145 for four before they slipped to 173 for eight. However, Leask and Mark Watt (17) carried them to 209 for eight when Watt fell to Tendai Chatara off the last ball of the 48th over. Blessing Muzarabani started the final over with a wide that tied the scores before accounting for last-man Brad Wheal with Leask stranded at 28.

Captain Graeme Cremer (three for 23) and Tendai Chisoro (three for 42) shared the wickets to bring Zimbabwe back in the match, which at one stage looked firmly in Scotland’s control.

Scotland’s Richie Berrington later said: “Unbelievable game of cricket, in the end it went all the way to the death. Pretty exciting stuff!

“Obviously, from our point of view it is disappointing to get in that position, so close and not get over the line, obviously though we will take a point from it Losing a few wickets early, George and myself managed to get a partnership going but obviously disappointed not to go on a bit longer and see it through towards the end.”

The Windies rode on half-centuries from Evin Lewis (84), Marlon Samuels (73 not out) and Rovman Powell (52), as well as Chris Gayle’s 31-ball 46 with five sixes and two fours to post 309 for six in 48 overs.

The Netherlands had a poor start when they were reduced to 29 for two before they recovered to 142 for two and then were 167 for six in 28.4 overs when rain prevented any further play at the Harare Sports Club. Ryan ten Doeschate was the top scorer with 67 not out, while opener Wesley Barresi scored 64.

An unfinished 89-run sixth wicket partnership between Rohit Paudel (48 not out) and Sompal Kami (37 not out) ousted Hong Kong from the Super Six contention and put Afghanistan in as Nepal chased down a 154-run target for the loss of five wickets with more than nine overs to spare.

Had Hong Kong won the match, they would have progressed to the Super Six, but the result meant Afghanistan, Hong Kong and Nepal were tied on one win apiece with Afghanistan marching on due to a superior net run-rate.

Scores in brief (Games involving the Netherlands and Nepal will be classified as List-A matches as the two sides don’t have ODI status coming into this tournament):

Windies beat the Netherlands by 54 runs (Duckworth-Lewis-Stern Method), Harare Sports Club (Group A)

Windies 309-6, 48 overs (Evin Lewis 84, Marlon Samuels 73 not out, Rovaman Powell 52, Chris Gayle 46; Roelof van der Merwe 2-46, Paul van Meekeren 2-37, Peter Borren 2-55)

The Netherlands 167-6, 28.4 overs (Ryan ten Doeschate 67 not out, Wesley Barresi 64)

Player of the match – Evin Lewis (Windies)


Ireland beat the United Arab Emirates by 226 runs (revised target 318 runs in 44 overs), Old Hararians (Group A)

Ireland 313-6, 44 overs (Paul Stirling 126, William Porterfield 92, Kevin O’Brien 50 not out; Mohammad Naveed 3-84, Imran Haider 2-73)

UAE 91 all out, 29.3 overs (Boyd Rankin 4-15, Simi Singh 3-15, Barry McCarthy 2-26)

Player of the match – Paul Stirling (Ireland)


Nepal beat Hong Kong by five wickets, Bulawayo Athletic Club, (Group B)

Hong Kong 153 all out, 48.2 overs (Nizakat Khan 47, Ehsan Khan 21, Babar Hayat 20; Sandeep Lamichhane 3-17, Basant Regmi 2-20, Karan KC 2-35)

Nepal 155-5, 40.4 overs (Rohit Paudel 48 not out, Sompal Kami 37 not out; Ehsan Khan 2-34, Aizaz Khan 2-40)

Player of the match – Rohit Kumar (Nepal)


Scotland v Zimbabwe match tied, Queens Sports Club (Group B)

Zimbabwe 210 all out, 46.4 overs (Craig Ervine 57, Brendan Taylor 44, Solomon Mire 35; Safyaan Sharif 5-33, Michael Leask 4-37)

Scotland 210 all out, 49.1 overs (Richie Berrington 47, Kyle Coetzer 39, George Munsey 29, Michael Leask 28 not out,; Graeme Cremer 3-23, Tendai Chisoro 3-42)

Player of the match - Safyaan Sharif (Scotland


Group placings:


Windies (A1), Ireland (A2), UAE (A3), Netherlands (A4), PNG (A5)

Afghanistan (B1), Zimbabwe (B2), Scotland (B3), Nepal (B4), Hong Kong (B5)



Super Six / classification match fixtures following minor adjustments (matches start 09h30 local time; games involving the Netherlands and Nepal will be classified as List-A matches as the two sides don’t have ODI status coming into this tournament):



o Thursday, 15 March – Windies v Afghanistan (S6), Harare Sports Club; UAE v Scotland (S6), Queens Sports Club; PNG v Nepal (play-off), Old Haraians; Netherlands v Hong Kong (play-off), Kwekwe Sports Club



o Friday, 16 March – Ireland v Zimbabwe (S6), Harare Sports Club



o Saturday, 17 March – 7th/8th play-off, Kwekwe Sports Club; 9th/10th play-off, Old Hararians



o Sunday, 18 March – Ireland v Scotland (S6), Harare Sports Club



o Monday, 19 March – Windies v Zimbabwe (S6), Harare Sports Club



o Tuesday, 20 March – UAE v Afghanistan, Old Hararians



o Thursday, 21 March – Windies v Scotland (S6), Harare Sports Club



o Friday, 22 March - UAE v Zimbabwe (S6), Harare Sports Club



o Friday, 23 March – Ireland v Afghanistan, Harare Sports Club



o Sunday, 25 March – Final

 

[MenInG]

Super Six

 

[shaz619]

Sad to see WI's having to qualify but they should power through very easily

 

[aloo paratha]

Absolutely agree.

Shocking decision by the ICC IMO.

Scotland have played so well in this tournament, same with Zimbabwe and WI. Afghanistan haven't done well in this tournament but I still think there achievements in the least 10 years are tremendous. Ireland have also played some really good cricket over the last decade. Only 1 of these 5 teams should be missing out, not 3 of them.

 

[aloo paratha]

So the top 2 from this super six make it to the world cup? Also is this super six leg going to be televised.

 

[TalhaSyed]

Scotland have played so well in this tournament, same with Zimbabwe and WI. Afghanistan haven't done well in this tournament but I still think there achievements in the least 10 years are tremendous. Ireland have also played some really good cricket over the last decade. Only 1 of these 5 teams should be missing out, not 3 of them.

Yea it’s insane!

I love seeing teams like Scotland, Ireland, Zimbabwe etc. at the WC

Top 2 from the superb six stage qualify to turn WC but during the super six you only play teams you didn’t play during the Group stages.

Not sure about the games being televised - haven’t seen any ads or anything anywhere

 

[Donal Cozzie]

So the top 2 from this super six make it to the world cup? Also is this super six leg going to be televised.

Nearly all S6 games televised. Only the UAE vs Scotland match isnt IIRC.

Gonna be a nailbiting week.

I just know rain will screw at least one team over.

 

[aloo paratha]

Nearly all S6 games televised. Only the UAE vs Scotland match isnt IIRC.

Gonna be a nailbiting week.

I just know rain will screw at least one team over.

Ayy that's great, I don't have school this week either.

 

[giri26]

Afghanistan somehow gained an entry into the super 6 in spite of poor showing but it does look like Zimbabwe and West Indies who will qualify. It will be hard to imagine WI not qualifying with already 4 points. The competition will only be for the second spot.

 

[WengerOut]

What a farcical format !! 6 teams are competing and 4 of them are having a headstart.

 

[MMHS]

What a farcical format !! 6 teams are competing and 4 of them are having a headstart.

It’s a fantastic format - top 6 (which ever qualifies) play each other; 2 in initial round & 3 in super six. This format gives the opportunity to underdogs a chance to advance - like Hong Kong could have done it today. But, it doesn’t allow surprise- if Hong Kong (had they qualified) or UAE is to make the WC, now they’ll need to win 3 tough games.

It’s apparently complex, but within short time best possible format to make sure that top 2 performing sides qualify. Easier could have been 4 to advance SF or 8 to advance in QF and then KO - which should never be the ideal format for a qualifier for WC.

Somewhere in this thread I explained the format at the start, and tournament is still bang on that trail - WI had been the most consistent side followed by ZIM/SCT and most likely WI + one of these 2 sides will make it. A QF/SF>Final would have been a farce had WI missed out for a bad day at SF after winning everything before.

AFGs (& UAE) are handicapped simply because they failed to win couple of games which as per ranking they should have won. In fact, ICC made it easier for AFG - they were in relatively easier group with ZIM, SCT, HK & Nepal; compared to their counterpart IRL, who had WI, UAE, NED & PNG.

 

[giri26]

What a farcical format !! 6 teams are competing and 4 of them are having a headstart.

That's how super 6 format works, if you had followed WC cricket in the past. Teams who performed well in the first stage are rewarded with points scored only against the teams who qualified with them to the super 6. So I don't think there is anything unfair about it. Keeping WI and Afghanistan on the same level in super 6 would have been farcical.

 

[CanadianG00se]

Afghanistan will find it very difficult to make it to Finals and to the WC next year. Lets see if they have what it takes to get to the finals.

 

[giri26]

Afghanistan will find it very difficult to make it to Finals and to the WC next year. Lets see if they have what it takes to get to the finals.

They need to win all their 3 games and hope Zimbabwe loses 2 of their 3 games to have a chance to qualify. At this point anything other than WI and Zimbabwe looks improbable.

 

[Rayyman]

Ayy that's great, I don't have school this week either.

I would rather watch WI play than PSL. They are just so entertaining with the flairific and explosive batting.

Also they have a ruthless streak which others lack.

Hopefully WC Semis will be Aus., Pak., India, and West Indies. The others are all softies and have no chance of winning.

 

[Adijazz1706]

I would rather watch WI play than PSL. They are just so entertaining with the flairific and explosive batting.

Also they have a ruthless streak which others lack.

Hopefully WC Semis will be Aus., Pak., India, and West Indies. The others are all softies and have no chance of winning.

It's an ODI tournament, put your house on WI failing to get to SF

 

[mayankp.sverige]

Nepal has good chance to get ODI status.

 

[mayankp.sverige]

Nepal bowlers r very good

 

[Shutdown Corner]

Nearly all S6 games televised. Only the UAE vs Scotland match isnt IIRC.

Gonna be a nailbiting week.

I just know rain will screw at least one team over.

Best Wishes to the Irish. Would have loved to see Ireland and Afghanistan qualify. Now rooting for Ireland and Windies to make it.

Also hoping Nepal gets ODI status. Would be good to see them in the Asia Cup.

 

[TalhaSyed]

Nearly all S6 games televised. Only the UAE vs Scotland match isnt IIRC.

Gonna be a nailbiting week.

I just know rain will screw at least one team over.

Sky trying to screw over Scotland

 

[AssassinatedDevil]

BUSINESS END OF WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS STARTS THURSDAY

After an action-packed 20-match group schedule, the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018 enters the business end from Thursday when sides in the Super Six stage will aim to finish in the top two to book their tickets to the ICC’s pinnacle 50-over tournament – the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, which will be staged in England and Wales from 30 May to 14 July.

Not only that, there will be plenty at stake in the play-off ranking matches when Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea and Nepal will fight tooth and nail for the last ODI status spot. The highest-finishing Associate Member will join the Netherlands, who qualified last year for the new 13-team ODI League commencing in 2020 by winning the ICC World Cricket League Championship, and, Scotland and the UAE, who have retained their ODI status until 2022 by reaching the Super Six.

On Thursday in the Super Six, table-toppers and two-time former world champions the Windies will take on Afghanistan in front of broadcast cameras at the Harare Sports Club, while second-placed defending champions Scotland will take on bottom-placed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Bulawayo.

The Windies and Scotland will kick-off their Super Six journey with four and three carry-over points, respectively, as compared to the Asian sides’ zero points following their losses against sides that progressed to the Super Six from their respective groups.

Then on Friday, also at the Harare Sports Club, an in-form host nation Zimbabwe will square off against a dangerous Ireland. Zimbabwe have carried three points into the Super Six following a victory over Afghanistan and a tied match against Scotland, while Ireland have moved ahead with two carry-over points following their 226-run victory over the UAE.

The Windies, thanks to their four points, will start as favourites but their performances in the group matches have been up and down. The UAE gave them a run for their money despite scoring 357 for four, the Windies slipped to 58 for four before achieving the 201-run target against PNG, recovered from 83 for five to 258 for eight against Ireland and then were behind the Netherlands on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern Method at one stage before the Dutch lost four quick wickets to eventually lose by 54 runs on the DLS Method.

However, captain Jason Holder insisted the important thing for his side was to progress to the Super Six with maximum points. “I think this is one box ticked,” he said, adding: “We have not only qualified but qualified going into the Super Six with four points – I think that was crucial coming in from the group stages.

“We’ve got Afghanistan first in the Super Sixes, and we know we have to win that game. I think everybody will be up for it, it’s obviously a must-win game, a very important game.”

Afghanistan had arrived in Zimbabwe with a lot of hope, expectations and promise, but coach Phil Simmons minced no words in saying that his side now had a mountain to climb.

“It’s been difficult from the time we lost the first game. We know how difficult it is now, but all we can do is what is in our hands and that is to win the three games. If we can win the three games, then we can put ourselves in a position and it’s up to others to do what they do,” Simmons said.

Defending champions Scotland, along with Zimbabwe, have been one of the consistent sides. Led intelligently by Kyle Coetzer, Calum MacLeod has the highest individual score in the tournament to date, smashing 157 not out against Afghanistan, while fast bowler Safyaan Sharif is the second-joint leading wicket-taker along with Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza with 10 wickets.

Coetzer, who was player of the match against Nepal, admitted the UAE were a dangerous side but hoped playing the first Super Six match at the Queens Sports Club will give his side the advantage.

“We are preparing for our first game against the UAE. We know they are a dangerous and a tough team, and can’t be taken lightly. Hopefully, we can use the advantage of already playing here in Bulawayo, so hopefully that can help us.

“Looking at the bigger picture of World Cup qualification is nice but can be a little bit dangerous. You can’t get there without doing the things leading up to it, but one game at a time is what we are looking at. This is important as we move to Harare as we have never played there before.”

The UAE will start with zero points following defeats against the Windies and the Netherlands, but coach Dougie Brown insisted his side deserved to be in the Super Six. “Our top seven batters have brought some really good form and bowlers have too, and despite Monday’s result, I am really pleased where we are at the minute.

“The main priorities for Super Six and, in particular, the Scotland match is to start well. They are a very buoyant side at the moment, they carry three points into the Super Sixes and they know qualification is in their hands, but we think we are two fairly evenly matched teams and it is very much about who gets out the blocks the quickest.”


Led by veterans Brendan Taylor and Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe have turned things on their head following the disastrous tour of Sharjah and have caught the attention and imagination of their fans. Taylor is the leading run-getter in the tournament to date with 279, while Raza is fourth on the list with 194 runs along with his 10 wickets.


However, captain Graeme Cremer was cautious when he said his sides will have to counter some strong teams in the Super Six. "I think we will do really well in the Super Six stage. We always play well at Harare Sports Club and we will also have massive home support to count on.


“It will be really tough in the Super Six, with some really strong teams having made it through, and the team that handles pressure the best will win,” said the home team captain.


Ireland, Zimbabwe’s opponents on Friday, realise they could have entered the Super Six with maximum points if they had made the most of their chances against the Windies. But instead of looking back, they are now focused on the upcoming matches.


“It’s great to have qualified for the Super Six stage. We would have liked to make it through with maximum points but that wasn’t to be the case,” said captain William Porterfield, who is his side’s leading run-getter with 250 runs.


Porterfield’s partner Paul Stirling has 191 runs to date, while Boyd Rankin has claimed nine wickets.


“We do, however, have everything in our own hands in terms of qualification. The most important thing for now is that we don’t look too far ahead. Friday is what we need to focus on,” concluded the stylish left-hander.


Fixtures for Thursday and Friday (Games involving the Netherlands and Nepal will be classified as List-A matches as the two sides don’t have ODI status coming into this tournament):



· Thursday, 15 March – Windies v Afghanistan (S6), Harare Sports Club; Michael Gough and Ahsan Raza (on-field), Simon Fry (third umpire), Shaun George (fourth umpire), Graeme La Brooy (match referee)



· Thursday, 15 March - UAE v Scotland (S6), Queens Sports Club; Joel Wilson and Gregory Brathwaite (on-field), Paul Wilson (reserve umpire), David Jukes (match referee)



· Thursday, 15 March - PNG v Nepal (play-off), Old Hararians; Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and Langton Rusere (on-field), Jeremiah Matabiri (reserve umpire), Devdas Govindjee (match referee)



· Thursday, 15 March - Netherlands v Hong Kong (play-off), Kwekwe Sports Club; Chris Brown and Adrian Holdstock (on-field), Iknow Chabi (reserve umpire), Shahit Wadvalla (match referee)



· Friday, 16 March – Ireland v Zimbabwe (S6), Harare Sports Club; Simon Fry and Shaun George (on-field), Michael Gough (third umpire), Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid (fourth umpire), Graeme La Brooy (match referee)

 

[MenInG]

LIVE

ODI Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe

West Indies 158/5 (41.5/50ov)

Afghanistan

 

[Shafi]

WI players prefer PSL over World Cup Qualifier!!!! Pathetic!!!!!

 

[JattMaula]

Afghans win vs Windies!

And stay alive for qualification.

 

[Test champion]

how many game afgan left now ??

 

[MMHS]

AFGs have done half the job - congrats. Now, they need to blast UAE, win against IRL and hope that ZIM, SCT doesn't win 2 games. WI still almost certain to make it, because of 4 points. They need to win 1 of last 2 games and make sure that their NRR doesn't suffer.

But, today is the day for AFG's, still in the hunt for almost impossible, after losing to HK.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

how many game afgan left now ??

2

 

[shaz619]

West Indies should qualify compatibly in the end , the second spot could be anyone's really going by the table thus far

 

[MenInG]

Afghanistan kept their hopes alive for a place in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 when they defeated the Windes by three wickets in a match of fluctuating fortunes, while defending champions Scotland went to the top of the Super Six points table by defeating the United Arab Emirates by 73 runs in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018 on Thursday.



Mohammad Nabi became the first Afghanistan bowler to reach the 100-wicket milestone as the Asian side pinned the two-time former world champions against their four-pronged spin attack to restrict them to 197 for eight in 50 overs on a good batting surface in front of broadcast cameras at the Harare Sports Club.



They then recovered from 17 for two to 83 for three and finally 190 for seven before achieving the target for the loss of seven wickets with 14 balls to spare. Captain Jason Holder was the pick of his side’s bowlers when he finished with three for 39 and in the process, became the fifth Windies all-rounder and 64th overall to complete the double of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in ODIs.



At the Queens Sports Club, a career-best 114 by opener Matthew Cross and his 161-run second wicket partnership with Calum MacLeod (78) was the cornerstone of Scotland’s 73 runs victory over the UAE.



Thursday’s Super Six results mean Scotland have leapfrogged the Windies into the top position with five points with matches against Ireland and the Windies remaining, while the Windies have stayed on four points with their upcoming matches against Zimbabwe and Scotland. Afghanistan are on two points with their next opponents being the UAE and Ireland, whereas the UAE are now out of the World Cup race as the maximum points they can earn is four, which will not be sufficient.



Zimbabwe and Ireland will go head to head on Friday at the Harare Sports Club in their first Super Six fixture. Zimbabwe will start with three points, while Ireland have two points.



Meanwhile in the Play-off Ranking Matches, Nepal grabbed the final ODI spot until 2022 when they defeated Papua New Guinea (PNG) by six wickets to set up a seventh-eighth position play-off against the Netherlands, who defended a small total of 174 to beat Hong Kong by 44 runs.



Irrespective of the outcome of the Netherlands v Nepal match, Nepal have joined Scotland and the UAE as the three highest-ranked Associate Members after the Netherlands (who qualified last year for the new 13-team ODI League commencing in 2020 by winning the ICC World Cricket League Championship), which was the criteria to earn ODI status for the next four years. In contrast, Hong Kong and PNG will be relegated to the ICC World Cricket League Division 2, but not before featuring in the 4000th ODI, which will be played at the Old Hararians on Saturday.



The feature of Afghanistan’s win over the Windies, which gave them a 2-1 lead in four head-to-head matches, was their four-pronged spin attack that included wrist-spinner Rashid Khan, off-spinners Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Rahman, and left-arm spinner Sharafuddin Ashraf. The slow bowlers bowled 39 overs between them in which they conceded 138 runs and snapped up seven wickets.



Mujeeb was the most successful bowler with three for 33, while Nabi bagged two for 43, including the wicket of Marlon Samuels for his 100th ODI scalp. The slow bowlers were well supported by some outstanding fielding in the deep as the Windies batsmen tried to break the shackles but only managed to find the alert Afghanistan fields.



Shai Hope was the top scorer with 43, while his 50-run fifth wicket partnership with Jason Holder (28) was the highest of the Windies’ innings.



Afghanistan, in turn, were wobbling at 17 for two but Rehmat Shah (68) first rebuilt the innings with Samiullah Shenwari (27) and then with Nabi (31). But Nabi’s departure created some panic in the Afghanistan camp as they slipped to 168 for six in the 44th over, but Rashid Khan ensured victory with three wickets for 14 balls to spare by scoring 13 invaluable runs.



It was a one-way traffic at the Queens Sports Club after Scotland scored 322 for six and then dismissed the UAE for 249 in 49.4 overs with fast bowler Chris Sole taking four for 68.



The highlight of Scotland’s innings was a second career century by Cross in his 40th ODI. The 25-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman scored 114 from 135 balls with five fours and four sixes, adding 161 runs for the second wicket with MacLeod, whose 79-ball 78 included eight fours and a six.



The only positive for the UAE was their captain Rohan Mustafa’s continued good form with the ball, when he finished with four for 56.



Dipendra Airee was Nepal’s star performer when the off-spinner took four for 14 to spin PNG out 114 in 27.2 overs, and then scored an unbeaten 50 after his side had slipped to 35 for three. Sandeep Lamichhane was another one to produce an impressive effort, grabbing four for 29.



In the Netherlands v Hong Kong match, the Dutch lost their last seven wickets for 29 runs to be dismissed for 174 in 48.2 overs. However, the target proved to be too stiff for Hong Kong who were bowled out for 130 in 43 overs with Roelof van der Merwe finishing with four for 18.



Scores in brief (Super Six):

Afghanistan beat Windies by three wickets, Harare Sports Club, Harare

Windies 197-8, 50 overs (Shai Hope 43, Marlon Samuels 36, Jason Holder 28, Evin Lewis 27; Mujeeb Rahman 10-1-33-3; Mohammad Nabi 2-43)

Afghanistan 198-7, 47.4 overs (Rahmat Shah 68, Mohammad Nabi 31, Samiullah Shenwari 27; Jason Holder 3-39, Keemo Paul 2-29)

Player of the Match – Mujeeb Rahman (Afghanistan)



Scotland beat UAE by 73 runs, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

Scotland 322-6, 50 overs (Matthew Cross 114, Calum MacLeod 78, Kyle Coetzer 43, Richie Berrington 37 not out, George Munsey 30; Rohan Mustafa 4-56)

UAE 249 all out, 47.4 overs (Mohammad Usman 80, Ahmad Raza 50, Rohan Mustafa 32, Ashfaq Ahmed 30; Chris Sole 4-68, Safyaan Sharif 2-36, Brad Wheal 2-45)

Player of the Match – Matthew Cross (Scotland)



Play-off Ranking Matches:

Nepal beat Papua New Guinea by six wickets, Old Hararians

PNG 114 all out, 27.2 overs (Dipendra Airee 4-14, Sandeep Lamichhane 4-29)

Nepal 115-4, 23 overs (Dipendra Airee 50 not out, Aarif Sheikh 26, Paras Khadka 20; Norman Vanua 2-25)

Player of the Match - Dipendra Airee (Nepal)



The Netherlands beat Hong Kong by 44 runs, Kwekwe Sports Club

Netherlands 174 all out, 48.2 overs (Max O’Dowd 62, Peter Borren 31, Bas de Leede 29; Nadeem Ahmed 3-20, Ehsan Khan 2-30, Tanwir Afzal 2-36)

Hong Kong 130 all out in 43 overs (Babar Hayat 52, Kinchit Shah 22; Roelof van der Merwe 4-18, Fred Klaassen 2-30)

Player of the Match – Max O’Dowd (the Netherlands)



Fixtures for Friday and Saturday (Games involving the Netherlands and Nepal will be classified as List-A matches as the two sides don’t have ODI status coming into this tournament):



· Friday, 16 March: Ireland v Zimbabwe (S6), Harare Sports Club; Simon Fry and Shaun George (on-field), Michael Gough (third umpire), Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid (fourth umpire), Graeme La Brooy (match referee)



· Saturday, 17 March – The Netherlands v Nepal (7th/8th play-off), Kwekwe Sports Club; Chris Brown and Adrian Holdstock (on-field), Ikown Chabi (reserve umpire), Shahit Wadvalla (match referee)



· Saturday, 17 March – PNG v Hong Kong (9th/10th play-off), Old Hararians; Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and Langton Rusere (on-field), Joel Wilson (reserve umpire), David Jukes (match referee)




In the event of teams finishing on equal points at the end of the Super Six stage, the order of teams will be decided in the following order of priority:



o The team with the most wins in all of the matches throughout the competition against the other Super Six stage qualifiers will be placed in the higher position.



o If there are teams with equal points and equal wins in the Super Six stage, the team with the higher net run-rate in all matches played against the other Super Six stage qualifiers will be placed in the higher position



o If two or more teams are still equal, they will be placed according to the head to head match(es) played between them (points then net run-rate in those matches).



o If still equal, any teams that cannot be separated in this way shall be placed according to their original Group seeding.



o If all matches within the Super Six stage produce no-results, then the order of finishing will be determined by the teams’ performances in the Group stage as follows: Group standing, most points, most wins. If still equal, any teams that cannot be separated in this way shall be placed according to their original Group ranking (1-10)



Play-off ranking matches



o In the event of a play-off ranking match being tied the teams shall compete in a Super Over to determine the winner.



o If following a tie, weather conditions prevent the Super Over from being completed, or if the match is a no result or abandoned, the progression or order of finishing will be determined by the team’s performances in the Group stage as follows: Group standing, most points, most wins, highest net run rate. If still equal, any teams that cannot be separated in this way shall be placed according to their original Group seeding.

 

[Gubol123]

came to comment on this and got caught up in Faheem/Pandya argument .. With that Scotland win, looks like Afg is out.. they have only themselves to blame..WI have to be careful here, they might end up huffing and puffing and losing out in the end.. Atleast WI and Zim will bring lots of competitiveness to WC. If Scotland ends up qualifying, than ICC efforts to keep WC will be defeated. we might see atleast 7 or 8 one sided matches against Scotland

 

[CadPakFan]

I wish Canada was here.

 

[Donal Cozzie]

Ireland have to win tomorrow or we're out.

Tragic its come to this thanks to the ICC's close mindedness but what can ya do.

Hope dearly that whatever happens Scotland and anyone bar the WI make it. Will absolutely show up the 2019 WC for what it is having WI miss out

 

[UN talkz]

Zimbabwe vs Ireland

ZIM 177/7 (43.2 Ovs)

Batting

Raza 41(59)
Brendan Taylor(wk) 25(41)

Bowling

Andy McBrine 2/42
Kevin O Brien 1/22

 

[Abdullah719]

Zimbabwe 211/9

Ireland 104

Zimbabwe won by 107 runs

Sikandar Raza MVP

 

[MenInG]

Zimbabwe came back from behind to beat Ireland by 107 runs in a Super Six fixture of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018 at the Harare Sports Club on Friday.

In front of 7,500 noisy and celebrating spectators, Zimbabwe looked dead and buried when they slipped to 139 for seven in the 34th over after being sent into bat, before Sikandar Raza’s undefeated 69 lifted them to 211 for nine.

Left-arm spinner Tendai Chisoro then followed up his 21 with the bat to pick up three frontline batsmen as Ireland slipped to 54 for five, before Graeme Cremer ran through the middle and lower-order with three for 18 as the 2009 qualifier champions were dismissed for 104.

The victory helped Zimbabwe join Scotland on five points and ahead in first place on net run-rate, while Ireland were left with two points in fourth position. Both sides have two matches remaining, with Zimbabwe to square off against the Windies and the United Arab Emirates on 19 and 22 March, respectively, while Ireland have tricky matches against Scotland and Afghanistan on 18 and 23 March, respectively.

The top two sides from this tournament will qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, which will be held in England and Wales from 30 May to 14 July.

A delighted Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer later said: “Very happy, we knew we had a score to defend, but the bowling and fielding were outstanding today. We could not have asked for anything better.

“Physiologically, getting over 200 we knew it was going to be hard for them to chase, especially if we bowled well. Chisoro opening up as spinner is never easy, but for him to get three and for the rest of the bowlers to step up was amazing.

“It was a match-winning knock from Sikander Raza, he’s done it time and time again for us. The way he stuck it out and batted out for us until the end was excellent and credit to him, definitely my man of the match.”

William Porterfield was a disappointed Ireland captain, when he said: “It has been a game of two halves really, if you give us 212 to chase on that pitch you would be pretty happy. We were confident at half-time, but then never really got going.

“It’s hard to put your finger on for now, what happened there, it’s pretty disappointing to get bowled out on that pitch. I think we gifted them early on and put us on the back foot, Stirlo (Paul Stirling) played pretty well, but then he just lost his partners at the other end, and I obviously started that off. We have to pick ourselves up and get a result on Sunday now.”

In front of the broadcast cameras, Zimbabwe made a promising start when opener Cephas Zhuwao hit the second ball of the match from Tim Murtagh over his head for a six and belted another eight balls later to over mid-wicket to race to 20.

However, Zhuwao tried one shot too many against Barry McCarthy to be caught at mid-on, which started a procession of wickets. Solomon Mire (11) was stumped by Niall O’Brien, Hamilton Mazakadza (18) was caught at the wicket while fishing outside the off stump, Sean Williams (9) miscued a sweep to be caught at square leg, Brendan Taylor (25) tried an expensive reserve sweep to be trapped in front of the wickets, Craig Ervine (20) paid the price for the slight hesitation to be run-out, before Greame Cremer’s off stump was sent on a walk by Kevin O’Brien as Sikandar Raza watched batsmen come and go.

At 139 for seven, Raza was joined by Chisoro and the two batsmen added 42 runs for the eighth wicket with Chisoro contributing 21. After Chisoro departed at the score of 181 with 31 balls of the allocation still remaining, Raza took control of the proceedings to carry his side to 211 for nine.

Raza returned unbeaten on 69, his seventh career ODI half-century, which came off 83 balls and included four fours and three sixes.

For Ireland, all the bowlers bowled exceedingly well, but Murtagh emerged as the most successful with three for 36, while off-spinner McBrine bagged two for 42.

Ireland made the worst possible start when Chisoro sent back William Porterfield (caught at short mid-wicket), Ed Joyce (stumped down the leg side) and Niall O’Brien (caught at short fine-leg), with Kyle Jarvis picking up Andrew Balbirinie at the wicket and Kevin O’Brien caught in the slips off Sean Williams as Ireland looked down the barrel at 54 for five.

Paul Stirling and Gary Wilson took the score to 86 before a terrible mix-up ended the innings of Stirling (41) and seven balls later Wilson was adjudged leg before to Cremer as Ireland plunged to deeper crisis at 89 for seven in the 29th over.

Ireland’s poor batting display, which they have just one day to forget before they take on Scotland on Sunday, ended at the score of 104 when Mazakadza took an excellent running catch in the deep to dismiss Murtagh off Cremer.

Raza, later adjudged Player of the Match, said: “We have a realistic chance now to qualify, I think a lot of people wrote us off after the bad series in Sharjah, but we never wrote ourselves out us we looked at each other and knew we had underperformed and underachieved in the last few tours.

“Coming back home for the qualifiers, we genuinely believed we had a chance, and to be here with five points, proves we have more than a good chance to qualify and go to England and Wales next year.”

Scores in brief (Super Six)

Zimbabwe beat Ireland by 107 runs, Harare Sports Club

Zimbabwe 211-9, 50 overs (Sikandar Raza 69 not out, Brendan Taylor 25, Tendai Chisoro 21, Cephas Zhuwao 20; Craig Ervine 20; Tim Murtagh 3-36, Andrew McBrine 2-42)

Ireland 104 all out, 34.2 overs (Paul Stirling 41; Graeme Cremer 3-18, Tendai Chisoro 3-22)

Player of the Match – Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe)

Fixtures for Saturday and Sunday (Games involving the Netherlands and Nepal will be classified as List-A matches as the two sides don’t have ODI status coming into this tournament):

· Saturday, 17 March – The Netherlands v Nepal (7th/8th play-off), Kwekwe Sports Club; Chris Brown and Adrian Holdstock (on-field), Ikown Chabi (reserve umpire), Shahit Wadvalla (match referee)

· Saturday, 17 March – PNG v Hong Kong (9th/10th play-off), Old Hararians; Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and Langton Rusere (on-field), Joel Wilson (reserve umpire), David Jukes (match referee)

· Sunday, 18 March – Ireland v Scotland (S6), Harare Sports Club; Joel Wilson and Paul Wilson (on-field), Gregory Brathwaite (third umpire), Ahsan Raza (fourth umpire), Devdas Govindjee (match referee)



Super Six points table

 

[Donal Cozzie]

World Cup dream dead and once again a great position thrown away. Utterly utterly depressing.

Thank God for tomorrow, wont remember much of this by Sunday I hope .....

 

[MMHS]

World Cup dream dead and once again a great position thrown away. Utterly utterly depressing.

Thank God for tomorrow, wont remember much of this by Sunday I hope .....

Bad luck buddy. Still there is a slim chance, but it's not at your control any more.

There are 12 Test teams, and 10 in WC - so, something obviously isn't right here.

 

[Donal Cozzie]

Bad luck buddy. Still there is a slim chance, but it's not at your control any more.

There are 12 Test teams, and 10 in WC - so, something obviously isn't right here.

Nah mate, we're done for. After the 2015 WC where our bowling was a complete joke we managed after two painful years to emerge with a fairly respectable attack of Rankin, Chase, McBrine,Murtagh,McCarthy, Young etc.

No such development has occurred with the batting, its the exact same batsmen actually, and bar Stirling and Porterfield none have any consistency and the likes NOB and Joyce are now too old (expect both to retire from ODI's after this tournament) and Wilson, well, I'll give him a few more months purely because under Ford at Surrey he was so good, but if he keeps failing he needs to be discarded.

This generation has run its course, and it was ran after 2015 tbh, That was when the changes shouldve been made. These guys deserve one final bow out, the Test match in May where they will finally gain the recognition they so richly deserved, to be Test cricketers, and then I hope they will gracefully step aside and let the next generation take over.

Keep Kevin, Stirling, Porterfield, from the batsmen. NOB and Joyce retire, Balbirnie dropped and Wilson on a final chance. From the bowling perspective Murtagh will probably retire soon enough but we have Chase and many other young quicky in the wings so thats not so big a problem.

Entire Top 7 needs a restructuring, as does the captaincy. These guys have been the one squad for far too long and personal friendships are almost certainly making it much much tougher for any other guys to get a look in.

Gutted. We cant have complaints about our performances but, to know WC will be next door and we'll miss out is tough to take. To know the main reason we're missing it is so India can play 3 meaningless extra group games is even tougher.

People dont understand how important WC's are for fledgling nations. One WC win would garner 40 times the media interest and fan following in Ireland than ten series victories over India would in a bilateral. Shame we're gnna potentially go until 2023, if even then, for our next one.

 

[DeadBall]

World Cup dream dead and once again a great position thrown away. Utterly utterly depressing.

Thank God for tomorrow, wont remember much of this by Sunday I hope .....

Heute war ein schlechter Tag. Hang in there buddy.

 

[UN talkz]

Ireland vs Scotland
Scotland need 162 runs

IRE 271/9 (50 Ovs)

Batting

Andy Balbirnie 105(146)
Niall O Brien(wk) 70(70)

Bowling

Wheal 3/43
Safyaan Sharif 2/52

Sco 110/2 (23 Ovs)

Batting

Coetzer(c) 60(65)
MacLeod 21(34)

Bowling

Murtagh 1/12
Simi Singh 1/17

 

[TalhaSyed]

If Scotland lose today, WI and Zimbabwe are pretty much guaranteed to qualify for the WC.

I think it would take some very unlikely results (e.g. Scotland beating WI, UAE beating Zimbabwe etc.) for anyone other than WI and Zim to qualify.

Zim will end up on 7 points by beating UAE. WI will end up in 8 points by beating Zimbabwe and Scotland. That will be it - no one will be able to catch up with them and the tied match against Zim May come back to haunt Scotland in a big way.

1 run may be all that stands between Scotland and the 2019 World Cup.

What a cruel cruel format this is by the ICC.

 

[MMHS]

If Scotland lose today, WI and Zimbabwe are pretty much guaranteed to qualify for the WC.

I think it would take some very unlikely results (e.g. Scotland beating WI, UAE beating Zimbabwe etc.) for anyone other than WI and Zim to qualify.

Zim will end up on 7 points by beating UAE. WI will end up in 8 points by beating Zimbabwe and Scotland. That will be it - no one will be able to catch up with them and the tied match against Zim May come back to haunt Scotland in a big way.

1 run may be all that stands between Scotland and the 2019 World Cup.

What a cruel cruel format this is by the ICC.

Actually no. IRL is heading for a big win, do their NRR will be much better. If they beat AFG & WI loses one of their 2 games (won’t be easy - ZIM & SCT), IRL actually should be above WI.

At this point, most secure team is ZIM - just need to edge past the weakest team in super six, UAE.

 

[Donal Cozzie]

If Scotland lose today, WI and Zimbabwe are pretty much guaranteed to qualify for the WC.

I think it would take some very unlikely results (e.g. Scotland beating WI, UAE beating Zimbabwe etc.) for anyone other than WI and Zim to qualify.

Zim will end up on 7 points by beating UAE. WI will end up in 8 points by beating Zimbabwe and Scotland. That will be it - no one will be able to catch up with them and the tied match against Zim May come back to haunt Scotland in a big way.

1 run may be all that stands between Scotland and the 2019 World Cup.

What a cruel cruel format this is by the ICC.

It all hinges on the Zimbabwe WI game.

If Zimbabwe beat the WI then the final two games are essential knock outs.

Scotland vs WI

Ireland vs Afg.

Irelands only hope is to win both their matches, then hope Zimbabwe beat the WI and Scotland do not win vs the WI. If that happens its down to NRR.

We can assume Zimbabwe have qualified as they should put the UAE away.

Leaves WI, Scotland and Ireland.If Scotland win either of their last two matches Ireland are out. If WI win their last two matches Ireland are out.

For Scotland its simple, beat the WI they qualify. If they win today they may not even need to do that depending on other results.

Ireland are the only ones relying on scores elsewhere.

If Zimbabwe vs UAE gets rained off or UAE pull off a win then everything will likely come to NRR.

 

[TalhaSyed]

Actually no. IRL is heading for a big win, do their NRR will be much better. If they beat AFG & WI loses one of their 2 games (won’t be easy - ZIM & SCT), IRL actually should be above WI.

At this point, most secure team is ZIM - just need to edge past the weakest team in super six, UAE.

Hash you said “Actually No” then agreed with me bro

As I mentioned in my original post and you mentioned as well - it will take the very unlikely result of WI losing to Scot or Zim and for Zim to lose Ron UAE for anyone other than Zim and WI to go through

 

[TalhaSyed]

It all hinges on the Zimbabwe WI game.

If Zimbabwe beat the WI then the final two games are essential knock outs.

Scotland vs WI

Ireland vs Afg.

Irelands only hope is to win both their matches, then hope Zimbabwe beat the WI and Scotland do not win vs the WI. If that happens its down to NRR.

We can assume Zimbabwe have qualified as they should put the UAE away.

Leaves WI, Scotland and Ireland.If Scotland win either of their last two matches Ireland are out. If WI win their last two matches Ireland are out.

For Scotland its simple, beat the WI they qualify. If they win today they may not even need to do that depending on other results.

Ireland are the only ones relying on scores elsewhere.

If Zimbabwe vs UAE gets rained off or UAE pull off a win then everything will likely come to NRR.

Yea man it’s extremely unlikely that anyone other than Zim and WI will go through.

I highly highly doubt that Zim or Scot will be able to beat WI. Afg managed to beat WI because of the spin threat - which Zim and Scot don’t really have. Then Zim will also need to lose to UAE for them to not make it, which I think would be highly unlikely to happen man

 

[Donal Cozzie]

Yea man it’s extremely unlikely that anyone other than Zim and WI will go through.

I highly highly doubt that Zim or Scot will be able to beat WI. Afg managed to beat WI because of the spin threat - which Zim and Scot don’t really have. Then Zim will also need to lose to UAE for them to not make it, which I think would be highly unlikely to happen man

Zimbabwe actually have very good spinners. Cremer is world class. On home soil they have a good record vs WI too, a win and a tie in their last two matches.

WI win tomorrow and I agree with you, anything bar WI and ZIM is unlikely, although Scotland at least know they need only win.

But if ZIM win tomorrow its wide open.

 

[TalhaSyed]

Zimbabwe actually have very good spinners. Cremer is world class. On home soil they have a good record vs WI too, a win and a tie in their last two matches.

WI win tomorrow and I agree with you, anything bar WI and ZIM is unlikely, although Scotland at least know they need only win.

But if ZIM win tomorrow its wide open.

Hmm yea true - maybe I’m not giving Zim enough credit.

Let’s see how things go tomorrow.

Anyway - first things first - let’s see how close Scotland can get today to do some damage control with regards to NRR!

 

[MMHS]

Hash you said “Actually No” then agreed with me bro

As I mentioned in my original post and you mentioned as well - it will take the very unlikely result of WI losing to Scot or Zim and for Zim to lose Ron UAE for anyone other than Zim and WI to go through

My apologies - my point was that it's not forgone conclusion yet for WI. The sort of commitment I see from them, won't be surprised if they bolt both games. IRL has a better chance against AFG, and their NRR is good - I am not sure if WIN management knows it or not

 

[TalhaSyed]

My apologies - my point was that it's not forgone conclusion yet for WI. The sort of commitment I see from them, won't be surprised if they bolt both games. IRL has a better chance against AFG, and their NRR is good - I am not sure if WIN management knows it or not

No worries man

Yea maybe I’m not giving Zim enough credit and they could pull something special out the bag VS WI.

I for some reason think WI May stroll through the Zim and Scot games, however, I may be very wrong there.

Let’s see how things go!

Even with number 11 at the crease Scotland going for the win and not worrying about NRR. Trying to smash Boyd Rankin back to Inverness!

 

[TalhaSyed]

Admirable effort here by Scotland!

At one stage it was looking like a 100+ run defeat and now they will be thinking if they had another’s wicket or two in the shed they would fancy their chances here

 

[Donal Cozzie]

NOB is legit one of the best keepers in the world. Fantastic behind the stumps

 

[TalhaSyed]

WI vs Zim tomorrow is a huge game.

If Zim can’t beat WI then it’s pretty much a done deal with Zim and WI guaranteed to qualify, unless they make a big mess up and either WI lose to Scot or Zim lose to UAE.