Zimbabwe face the UAE in their 2015 Cricket World Cup game at Nelson. You can follow the live scores of this match from 9:00am AEDT.
The World Cup is yet to feature a game that goes the distance and is decided in the final over.
It’s true that Scotland managed to pick up seven Kiwi wickets in their chase of a meagre total, and the Irish chased down more than 300 to complete a surprise win over West Indies, but that also happened with a lot of gas left in the tank.
Zimbabwe fought – and how – when they took on South Africa in a game that was forecast to be one of great disparity.
First they had South Africa 4/83, with the likes of Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers all dismissed. Unfortunately they lost steam after that and the pair of David Miller and JP Duminy rocketed the Proteas to 339 with their unbeaten fifth-wicket stand.
Facing bowling as mighty as South Africa’s – with Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander leading them – Zimbabwe looked unruffled.
The early wicket of Sikandar Raza did not deter them as Justice Chibhabha and Hamilton Masakadza guided the team through to 2/137 in 24 overs. Both hit half-centuries, and Brendan Taylor then chipped in with a 40 of his own to raise the hopes of an upset.
A late-order collapse left Zimbabwe short of that target but they had won hearts. Facing an easier opponent in UAE they start favourites.
UAE are playing in their first World Cup since the 1996 edition. The most stunning site of that tournament was the then-UAE captain Sultan Zarawani walking out to face the speed of Allan Donald without a helmet. He was smacked in the head, but continued without a helmet for six more balls before being dismissed and taken to hospital.
There will be no repeat showing – players have begun to value helmets a tad more, even if the Zimbabwean bowling isn’t as strong as South Africa’s.
UAE are the fourth and the final qualifier in the tournament and together with Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, the lower-ranked nations have generally played well in the tournament.
UAE will have two reasonable opportunities to show what they are capable of – against Zimbabwe and Ireland – because of the close proximity of their rankings. That’s also another reason why this game is so important for them.
Zimbabwe will still start favourites and given their recent performances, an upset looks out of question.
You can follow the live score of this Zimbabwe vs UAE World Cup 2015 encounter from 9:00am (AEDT) and post your comments in the section below.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Apologies about not signing off yesterday! Had major technological problems. Either way hope you enjoyed the very limited coverage I could provide. Suneer Should be back to cover today's game between New Zealand and England which should be a cracker in Wellington I'll be blogging the Rugby League Club World Series on Sunday Morning between the Brisbane Broncos and the Wigan Warriors whilst the next time im involved in the World Cup should be West Indies vs Zimbabwe game next Tuesday - unfortunately limited coverage. Ill be doing my first full blog of the World Cup Next Sunday when Pakistan take on Zimbabwe. As Always keep it tuned to the Roar for everything Sport!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Sean Williams is the Man Of the Match.
jamesb
Guest
The Zim boys do it. They needed that win today if they were any hope in progressing out of that group.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Zimbabwe by no means controlled this game, as they allowed the United Arab Emirates to run away to a very competitive score of 285. In the end the UAE didn't bowl well enough nor did they field well enough and plenty of Zimbabwe batsman stood up with starts before Sean Williams was able to let loose at the end and be the hero of the day for Zimbabwe as he finished with 76 from just 65 balls. Raza, Taylor and Ervine all made 40 + at a run a ball which set it up for Williams to do the damage late. Chigumbura also was really good at the end. None of the bowlers really stood out from the UAE but their spinners did a solid job.
Scott Pryde
Expert
That's it! Another ball that is a little short and slower and Williams drives it back past the bowler and it runs all the way to the rope. ZIMBABWE DEFEAT UNITED ARAB EMIRATES BY 4 WICKETS
Scott Pryde
Expert
Poor ball from Naveeb. Short and down the leg side. Williams dispatches it to fine leg for a boundary and the equation gets easier for Zimbabwe. How well has Williams batted? Oh and now another boundary. Short slower one and Williams waits for an age before dispatching it through mid wicket. This one is just about over. 4 from 13 needed - Williams 72 (64)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Naved back for his last over. UAE need to get this to the last over and take wickets to have a chance.A single off the first ball. 15 from 17 needed
Scott Pryde
Expert
Poor bowling from Chandran. Bowls 4 good balls that limit Zimbabwe to just 3, then a short and wide one that is punished to the point fence by Chigumbura. Over ends with a dot but 7 from it. UAE need wickets and fast. Score - Zimbabwe 6/270 (47) 16 needed from 18 balls.
Scott Pryde
Expert
4 Singles, a dot and then a beautifully played much need boundary from Chigumura. He moves to 9 and the pressure relaxes on Zimbabwe with 8 from the over. Score - Zimbabwe 6/263 (46) 23 runs from 24 balls needed, Williams 58 (57), Chigumbura 9 (11)
Scott Pryde
Expert
4 from that one and the run rate is now more than 6 an over. Pressure on both sides here. Good over from Chandran to. Chigumbra and Williams only need 1 big over.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Just a single from the 44th. 6 overs to go. Score - Zimbabwe 6/251 (44) - Required Run Rate 5.83
Scott Pryde
Expert
BANG! There it is massive wicket for United Arab Emirates and it is the flying Ervine. Ball holds up a bit off the pitch and Ervine puts it back for a simple catch off the bowler. With 11 runs off the last 2 overs the required run rate hasn't really changed. UAE would love the scalp of Williams now. Score - Zimbabwe 6/250 (43) - Ervine gone for 42 (32)
Chris
Guest
UAE still have a heartbeat with that wicket, but still well and truly on life-support. Still, enough to keep me watching the game.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yeah 17 from it makes life hard for the UAE... Another wicket could put them back into it though as Zimbabwe still need close to a run a ball and have only 5 wickets in hand.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Right, Zimbabwe are in the drivers seat here as they continue to pile on the runs. Most of the Zimbabwe batsman have made starts and chipped in for this total here as Zimbabwe draw closer and they have made things fairly easy for themselves in the last 10 overs. The United Arab Emirtates really haven't bowled that well, but its certainly not through a lack of trying out in the field, Zimbabwe have just been far too good with Ervine and Williams at the crease at the moment. However another wicket and the UAW could well be back on top here, so they need to keep fighting, with an important few overs coming up here for Zimbabwe. Score - 5/239 (41) Ervine 34 (27), Williams 51 (43), Required Run Rate 5.22 Runs per over.
Chris
Guest
That over (41st) ended any serious chance of an interesting finish.
Chris
Guest
Based on the ease with which Zimbabwe recovered from a pretty dicey position, the UAE v. South Africa game could get seriously ugly.
jamesb
Guest
Zimbabwe 5/191 after 37 overs Equation Runs 95 Balls 78 Wickets in hand 5 Tight finish coming up folks.
Scott Pryde
Expert
So Zimbabwe have lost a couple of wickets but are dominating and in complete control, however a wicket or 2 now for the UAE will change the complexion of the match. SCORE ZIMBABWE 3/144 (27)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Zimbabwe have made an awesome start to their chase and look very comfortable. UAE not bowling all that well. SCORE 0/55 (10)