The blame game in the West Indies camp has dealt a major blow to the qualification for the Cricket World Cup after the loss to Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe beat West Indies by 35 runs in their ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier match on Saturday. “We let ourselves down on the field and we paid the price,” West Indies captain Shai Hope said after the defeat, according to the ICC’s official website. Batting first, Zimbabwe set a target of 268 runs. West Indies failed to chase down the target and were bowled out for 233.

In the post-match interview, Shai Hope said, “We let ourselves down in the field and it cost us. If we were asked to chase (that score) before the game, we would have taken it.” There will be challenges, both on and off the field. We have to make sure we strengthen ourselves and understand what we need to do going forward, according to the official ICC website. Moving on, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to explain it. Very sad and very disappointed but the tournament is not over yet. The goal is to play our best cricket, whoever we play.”

Hope said, “I think it would be best for us to take a day off to get it all out of our system and come back on Monday. We know we’ve got our work done. We always Asks our bowlers to create chances and they did. And then, we made mistakes with the bat.”

The match ended on a disappointing note as both the teams progressed to the Super Six round.
#maininmaroon #CWC23qualifier, pic.twitter.com/rH7phOlu1o– Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) 24 June 2023

Zimbabwe’s team was bundled out for 268 runs in 49.5 overs. Sikandar Raza (68 runs in 58 balls with six fours and two sixes) and Ryan Burl (50 runs in 57 balls with the help of five fours and one six) scored impressive half-centuries. Both added 87 runs for the fifth wicket. Captain Ervin scored 47 runs in 58 balls with the help of seven fours.

Keemo Paul (3/61), Alzarri Joseph (2/42) and Akeel Hossain (2/45) were among the wicket-takers for the West Indies. Chasing a target of 269 runs, the West Indies team was reduced to 46/2 at one stage. Kyle Mayers (56 off 72 balls with eight fours and a six), Roston Chase (44 off 53 balls with three fours), Nicholas Pooran (34 off 36 balls with three fours and two sixes) and captain Shai Hope (30 off 39 balls with three fours) kept the two-time champions alive. However, the Zimbabwean bowlers kept their composure and denied the Windies their third consecutive win.
Tendai Chatara (3/52) was the best bowler for Zimbabwe. Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarawa and Raza got one wicket each as they bundled out the Windies for 233.

Raza received another ‘Player of the Match’ award for his all-round performance. With this win, Zimbabwe topped Group A with three wins from three matches and a total of six points. On the other hand, West Indies are at the third position with a total of four points with two wins and one loss.