Raza's record ton powers Zimbabwe to emphatic win over Netherlands

Zimbabwe vs Netherlands

A record-breaking all-round performance from Sikandar Raza (4-55 & 102*), well supported by a fiery 91 from Sean Williams, helped Zimbabwe register the fourth quickest 300+ run-chase in ODI history. After Netherlands posted a competitive 315/6, Zimbabwe put on a masterclass in chasing with Raza and Williams leading the way as they overhauled the target in just 40.5 overs, with six wickets to spare to top Group A.

Zimbabwe had probably been second guessing their choice to bowl first when Vikramjit Singh combined with Max O'Dowd for a 120-run opening stand that set the platform for Netherlands' solid total. Losing a couple of partners in quick succession to Raza didn't seem to faze Vikramjit, who went on to stitch another significant partnership - worth 96 - with his captain Scott Edwards. The skipper led the charge, making 83 off just 72 while the opener's top-scoring effort of 88 came in 111 deliveries.

Raza came to Zimbabwe's rescue once again, striking twice in quick succession one more time to deny Vikramjit a hundred by 12 runs. A handy cameo from Saqib Zulfiqur - 31-ball 34 - however propelled the target to the 300-plus bracket.

Zimbabwean openers did a fine job giving their side a solid base, led by captain Ervine who fell just after his fifty. But it was Williams' arrival and a 28-ball half-century that set the tone for the record chase. The No.3 star hit two sixes and 10 boundaries in his 58-ball knock, and also put on a crucial 84-run stand with Raza, who was already on a roll with a four-fer. Raza amplified the attack on a hapless Dutch bowling line-up, recording the fastest ODI ton for his country, in just 54 balls, taking Zimbabwe to the victory with a six in the 41st over itself.

Brief scores: Netherlands 315/6 in 50 overs (Vikramjit Singh 88, Scott Edwards 83; Sikandar Raza 4-55) lost to Zimbabwe 319/4 in 40.5 overs (Sikandar Raza 102*, Sean Williams 91; Shariz Ahmad 2-62) by 6 wickets.

Nepal vs USA

Karan KC's new-ball spell had USA in all sorts of trouble and set up Nepal's comfortable six-wicket victory to open their account. Karan picked all his wickets inside the powerplay to make early inroads, a blow USA could never recover from despite a counterattacking century from wicketkeeper Shayan Jahangir. Having bundled out USA for a paltry 207, Nepal cruised to the target with seven overs to spare.

Karan's new-ball spell was too hot to handle for USA, who lost two wickets in the right-arm pacer's opening over. He also accounted for the American skipper Aaron Jones after a laborious 22-ball effort for just two runs and had the team reeling at 18/4 inside 10 overs. Unbeaten at the time, opener Sushant Modani's fighting 71-ball 42 helped them to some recovery before Jahangir took over. The keeper-bat hammered 10 fours and sent three sailing over the ropes to lend some respectability to USA's total, despite little help from the tail.

The 208-run target was never going to be enough and despite an early hiccup, Nepal recovered through the 49-run partnership between Kushal Bhurtel (39 off 54) and top-scorer Bhim Sharki (77* off 114). USA did manage to strike at regular intervals to break the momentum every time Sarki managed to get some partnership going but the bowlers didn't have much to defend. The unbeaten 74-run stand with Dipendra Singh Airee - who smacked 39 off 31 - took Nepal over the line with six wickets still in hand.

Brief scores: USA 207 all out in 49 overs (Shayan Jahangir 100*, Sushant Modani 42; KAran KC 4-33, Gulsan Jha 3-52) lost to Nepal 211/4 in 43 overs (Bhim Sharki 77*, Dipendra Singh Airee 39*; Saurabh Netravalkar 1-29) by 6 wickets.