ZIM vs NED, 2nd ODI: Zimbabwe pip Netherlands in cliffhanger, level ODI series

Zimbabwe defeated the Netherlands by a solitary run in the second ODI at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday, March 23. The hosts clinched victory by scrambling a run out off the last ball of the game and levelled the series 1-1 with one game to go. Earlier, Zimbabwe skipper Craig Ervine won the toss and decided to bat first and the hosts posted a competitive score of 271. 

Chasing 272 to win, Netherlands fell short and finished 270 all out in 50 overs. The visitors failed to chase down their target as they needed 19 off the last over with nine wickets down. Netherlands’ no. 10 Ryan Klein started that last over off by hitting a four and he and no. 11 Fred Klaassen added a two, a single, and another two off the next three balls.

Klaassen then smashed a six, leaving the Netherlands needing a four off the last ball to win. Unfortunately, he was run out going for a third on the final delivery as Brad Evans and Tendai Chatara got together to complete the run out and Zimbabwe levelled the three-match ODI series 1-1.

Earlier, Zimbabwe spinner Wessly Madhevere took a hat trick during the Netherlands’ innings. His hat-trick came in the 44th over as he had Colin Ackermann (28) stumped off the first ball of the over. He then dismissed Teja Nidamanuru and Paul van Meekeren for golden ducks. He also emerged as the Player of the Match. The 22-year-old's hat trick is the 50th in ODIs and the third by a player from Zimbabwe.

In the first innings, Zimbabwe batter Sean Williams and keeper-batter Clive Madande scored brilliant half-centuries as the hosts posted 271 in 49.2 overs. Williams smashed 77 off 73 balls while Madande contributed 52 runs off 57 balls.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s star player Sikandar Raza and Brad Evans got out for a two-ball duck. For the Netherlands, Shariz Ahmad claimed a five-wicket haul, including the dismissals of Raza and Evans. Meanwhile, Paul van Meekeren and Colin Ackermann scalped two and Ryan Klein picked one.

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