*ZIMBABWE VS SCOTLAND SUPER SIXES MATCH 6 PREVIEW- ICC WORLDCUP QUALIFIERS 2023*
*THE BUILD UP:*
*ONE FINAL HURDLE BEFORE THE GRAND ENTRY:*
Zimbabwe, having lost to Srilanka are only a win away from entering into the Top10 of the Worldcup and they cannot afford to lose against the Scotts, who recently stunned the Windies in a comfortable chase. The Craig Ervine led side have done everything that’s been available in their arsenal to topple the best of the sides and have one final hurdle to cross and book their spot. They cannot be complacent with the stakes on this game this high. The superstars who have worked their magic so far for the hosts will have a big role to play, so will those who have hardly had a say in the tournament. It’s Zimbabwe vs Scotland at Bulawayo, a venue that has favoured the bowling sides more than the batters and if a similar trend continues, we can expect nothing but a cracker.
Scotland are one team who hold the aces with them, having being in the limelight recently after properly humiliating the Caribbean boys and even otherwise, winning 4/5 games this tourney already. Their only loss came to Srilanka, who by all means, have already scampered through to the Worldcup in India- now leaving one spot open. What will be promised out of this clash is that none of these sides are gonna back down. The Scotts are only 2 points away from Zim on the table and a win tomorrow could eventually make things even and brighter for all of us to see. A potential knockout is at hand and Brandon Mcmullen along with the other boys, will be looking to make ZIM pay.
*ZIMBABWE PROBABLE XI:*
Craig Ervine(c), Joylord Gumbie(wk), Sean Williams, Wessly Madhevere, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Wellington Masakadza, Brad Evans, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani
Zimbabwe suffered a defeat at the hands of Srilanka last game and it was a sorry looking scorecard for them. But Sean Williams’s form would have come again as a happy memory as he raced away to another scintillating half century, striking at nearly 100. The Scotts have a headache up their sleeves with the kind of composure and the ability to outshine others than Sean is showing. It would be a hard ask to get him back to the pavillion, given the hopes of ZIM rely on him and this match, in particular. Another one of Zimbabwe’s stars in Sikandar Raza ultimately emerged as the second highest run scorer of the innings and his all round abilities to bury the oppositions is likely to be in action, completing another task for the African nation and helping them sail through.
All this while with Zimbabwe’s skipper, Sean Williams and their superstar Raza doing the bulk of the scoring, the radar has gone off Gumbie who has been a silent performer as he continues to occupy the openers slot. He’d be eyeing for a score worth remembering to boost that average in the mid thirties and to get his side off a rocking start with the bat on a pitch that is expected to have alot more to offer to the bowlers than the batters.
Ngarava, the warrior and the chief architect was once again economical and picked up the only wicket that SL lost. He has been a force to reckon with this tournament with 13 wickets already and should add alot more with his bag of tricks tomorrow.
*SCOTLAND PROBABLE XI:*
Richie Berrington (c), Matthew Cross (wk), Christopher McBride, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Tomas Mackintosh, Michael Leask, Chris Greaves, Mark Watt, Safyaan Sharif, Chris Sole
Zimbabwe have had a tendency of playing spin relatively well and as a result their matchup to Mark Watt, the sensation and Sharif would be key and could well be game defining at best. All we as fans hope for is a tussle where Watt and co try their imminent best to keep the scoring rate in check while the ZIM batters look to make merry in the middle overs. Personally, can’t wait to watch Raza go up against Watt, two of the best in the business fighting for their prestigious nation with plenty to prove.
Chris Sole, with an average of 25 with 8 wickets up his sleeves has had his fair share of success this tournament already but like most players, even he searches for more and to come clutch at probably the biggest stage of the tournament. His spell at different phases of the game has been nothing short of sensational and the 29 years old could be the bone that Zimbabwe will have to crack at all costs to seal their spot.
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR ZIM:*
Highest run getter- Sean Williams/Sikandar Raza
Highest wicket taker- Richard Ngarava/Sikandar Raza
*FOR SCOT:*
Highest run getter- Brandon Mcmullen/Matthew Cross
Highest wicket taker- Chris Sole/Mark Watt
*FOR THIS GAME:*
ZIM to win and cement their spot.