Zimbabwe 286 for 6 (Williams 76) beat UAE 285 for 7 (Anwar 67, Chatara 3-42) by 4 wickets
Zimbabwe survived a scare against the UAE as they chased down 286 with two overs to spare to gain their first victory in the World Cup.
That the ‘lesser’ nations performances have produced the most exhilarating cricket of the World Cup thus far will undoubtedly rankle with the ICC as they seek to lessen the options for these teams to compete in future events.
Unfortunately for the ICC, Ireland have produced the stand-out performance of the World Cup, Afghanistan showed signs of their potential as a cricketing nation, Zimbabwe have been involved in two matches of real class and the UAE were competitive, even favourites at certain points throughout this match.
Zimbabwe were indebted to a superb innings by the left-handed Sean Williams. Williams lead the chase with a composed 76* including three fours in a row to finish the match in the 48th over.
UAE had posted an impressive 285-7 in their 50 overs thanks mainly to vice-captain Khurram Khan and number 6 Shaiman Anwar.
The total was UAE’s highest ODI score of all-time.
Khan, who is the oldest ODI centurion of all time after scoring a century against Afghanistan last year compiled a classy 44 before cutting to point where Sean Williams took a flying catch worthy of dismissing the UAE’s best player.
The fear for UAE was whether they could post a competitive total after Khan had been dismissed but such worries were laid to rest as Anwar took the attack to the Zimbabwe bowlers including lofted drives over extra-cover worthy of any cricket field.
Zimbabwe would have worried that they were in the midst of an upset during the interval.
In the end, Zimbabwe will look back at the chase and believe they were in control with the run-rate throughout. However, UAE had the upper hand and could sense the finish line multiple times throughout the innings.
UAE bowled tidily in phases and pressured the Zimbabweans with energetic fielding but lacked a wicket-taking edge at vital stages throughout the match.
Pakistan-born opening batsman Sikandar Raza was watchful for the first few overs of the innings before applying pressure on the UAE opening bowlers. Raza was the first batsman out for 46, cutting UAE captain Mohammad Tauqir to point to spark wild UAE celebrations.
Hamilton Masakadza followed soon after for a duck as he was judged LBW to a straight delivery from Amjad Javed that even Shane Watson wouldn’t have reviewed.
Raza’s opening partner Revis Chakabva was less explosive in compiling a 62-ball 35 before suffering the ignominy of treading on his stumps looking to pinch a quick single via Tauqir’s bowling.
Brendan Taylor chipped in with a energetic 47 that looked to be handing Zimbabwe the momentum before he was out LBW sweeping Nasir Aziz and the DRS review couldn’t save the captain.
Zimbabwe were left needing 119 from 17.2 overs when Williams and Craig Ervine combined to drag their team towards and ultimately over the finishing line for their fourth-highest ODI chase for a much-needed victory.