MATCH REPORTWesley Madhevere took a hat-trick and set up a dramatic finish as Zimbabwe beat the Netherlands by one run in the second of three World Cup Super League One-Day Internationals (ODI) in Harare on Thursday (March 23).
It went down to the last ball when last man Ryan Klein was run out attempting a near-impossible third run which would have tied the match. The Netherlands were seemingly cruising in pursuit of Zimbabwe's 271 all out at 213 for 4 before off-spinner Madhevere dismissed Colin Ackermann, Teja Nidamanuru and Paul van Meekeren off the first three balls of the 44th over.
Netherlands captain Scott Edwards hit 36 but his team's hopes seemed over when he fell to off-spinner Sikandar Raza with 20 runs still needed off nine balls. It came down to 10 needed off the last two balls.
Fred Klaassen hit a six off Tendai Chatara and then drove the last ball into the covers. The batsmen ran two but Brad Evans' throw to Chatara left Klein well short of his ground. Max O'Dowd (81) and Tom Cooper (74) laid the foundation for what seemed a likely Netherlands win with a second-wicket partnership of 125 off 152 balls.
Sean Williams, returning after a finger injury, top-scored for Zimbabwe with 77 while 19-year-old leg-spinner Shariz Ahmad took five wickets for 43 runs for the Netherlands. The series decider will be played at the same venue on Saturday (March 26).
Brief scores:
Zimbabwe 271 in 49.2 overs (Sean Williams 77, Clive Madande 52; Shariz Ahmad 5 for 43) beat Netherlands 270 in 50 overs (Max O'Dowd 81, Tom Cooper 74; Wesley Madhevere 3 for 36) by 1 run
Player of the match: Wesley Madhevere
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