The final day of group stage matches saw the Super Six line up decided for the ICC World Cup 2018 qualifiers decided.
Group A matches saw West Indies take on the Netherlands in an important match. The Netherlands won the toss and elected to field rain-interrupted match. Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis began off to flying start putting on 85 runs for the first wicket in 8.3 overs. Marlon Samuels 73 not out and Rovman Powell quick fire 52 off 38 balls helped West Indies post 309 for 6 in 48 overs.
Chasing 310 runs, Netherlands lost 2 wickets for 29 runs. Ryan Ten Doeschate and Barresi added 113 runs for the 3rd wicket. After that, 4 wickets fell in quick succession to leave the Netherlands at 167 for 6 before the rain arrived, meaning Peter Borren led side were knocked out of the tournament.
West Indies finish top of group stages with 8 points and will carry points in Super Six stage. In the final match of the day Ireland thrashed UAE by 226 runs. It was a great batting performance by Ireland with Paul Stirling 126, captain Porterfield 92 and Kevin O’ Brien quick fire 50 helped them to post a massive 313 for 6 in 44 overs.
Chasing the target of 314, UAE batsmen could not score many runs and were bowled out for 91.
In an important group B match, Nepal defeated Hong Kong by 5 wickets to help Afghanistan reach the Super Six stage. Hong Kong won the toss and elected to bat first. It was a disappointing performance by Hong Kong batsmen who were bowled out for a paltry total of 153 in 48.2 overs. Nizakat Khan was the top scorer with 47. Chasing 154, Nepal lost 5 wickets for 66 runs, the partnership of Paudel and Sompal Kami of 88 runs was enough for Paras Khadka led the side to register their first win.
The match between Scotland and Zimbabwe ended in a tie. Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer won the toss and batted first. Scotland bowlers were spot on target and bowled out hosts Zimbabwe for 210 in 46.4 overs. Sharif took 5 wickets while Leask picked 4 wickets.
Chasing the target of 211, Captain Coetzer made 39, Barrington 47, Munsey 29 and Leask 28 not out was not enough for Scotland to go past the target. Scotland was bowled out for 210 in 49.1 overs.
From Group B, Zimbabwe finished at the top of the group with 7 points. They won 3 matches and tied 1, followed by Scotland with 7 points, winning 3 matches and tied 1 match. The final spot goes to Afghanistan with 2 points, winning only 1 match and losing 3 matches.
The top teams reaching the finals of this tournament will progress into ICC World Cup 2019 along with 8 other nations.
West Indies with 4 points, Scotland 3 points, Zimbabwe 3, Ireland 2 are the respective points from the group stages. UAE and Afghanistan will not carry points.
From Group A: West Indies, United Arab Emirates, Ireland
From Group B: Afghanistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe
Here are the schedules of Super Six stage
- West Indies vs. Afghanistan ( Harare Sports Club)- 15th March
- United Arab Emirates vs. Scotland ( Queen Sports Club, Bulawayo)- 15th March
- Ireland vs. Zimbabwe ( Harare Sports Club, Harare)- 16th March
- Ireland vs. Scotland ( Harare Sports Club, Harare)- 18th March
- West Indies vs. Zimbabwe ( Harare Sports Club, Harare)- 19th March
- United Arab Emirates vs. Afghanistan ( Harare Sports Club, Harare)- 20th March
- West Indies vs. Scotland ( Harare Sports Club, Harare)- 22nd March
- United Arab Emirate vs. Zimbabwe ( Old Harrians, Harare)- 22nd March
- Ireland vs. Afghanistan ( Harare Sports Club, Harare)- 23rd March