Group B encounters T20 World Cup on Wednesday at Bellerive Oval in Hobart.
West Indies won the toss, Captain Nicholas Pooran decided to bat first.
The previous match was lost against Scotland so West Indies have to prove why they are two time champions.
Teams
West Indies playing 11: Nicholas Pooran, Evin Lewis, Kyle Mayers, Johnson Charles, Shamarh Brooks, Alzarri Joseph, Rovman Powell, Akeal Hosein, Odeon Smith, Obed McCoy.
Zimbabwe Playing 11: Blessing Muzarabani, Regis Chakabva, Wesley Madhevere, Tony Munyonga, Luke Jongwe, Ryan Burl, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Tendai Chatara, Richard Ngarava.
West Indies defeated Zimbabwe by 31 runs with 10 balls remaining to maintain their T20 World Cup hopes, thanks to a four-wicket performance from Alzarri Joseph and a 45-run effort from Johnson Charles. Jason Holder claimed three wickets in addition to him.
Wesley Madhevere got Zimbabwe off to a good start in their chase of 154 by scoring 27 runs off just 19 balls, but later West Indies bowlers struck one by one to dismiss Zimbabwe for 122. Luke Jongwe led Zimbabwe in scoring with 29 runs. Earlier, Muzarabani and Sean Williams each took one wicket, while Sikandar Raza of Zimbabwe took three wickets.
The Zimbabwe bowlers were unable to benefit from the new ball. The spinners entered the game as the ball grew stale, which led to a mini-collapse. While the other bowlers made a respectable effort, Sikandar Raza was Zimbabwe’s most productive bowler, taking 3 wickets.
With 45 runs and the first two sixes of the West Indies innings, Johnson Charles, who took the place of a sick Brandon King, was in charge of providing the strong foundation that was overlooked at first.
Alzarri Joseph: The center of match
The damage caused by Sikandar Raza’s fine spell of 3 for 19 was then repaired by the contributions of Rovman Powell (28) and Akeal Hosein (23 not out). The real difference, however, was Alzarri Joseph’s T20I career-best 4 for 16 strike rate.
Alzarri Joseph was named the game’s MVP.
Alzarri is also our greatest bowler and the leader of our attack, not only this year but ever since he returned to the T20 team. He regularly bowls 140 or more and picks up significant wickets.
Alzarri Joseph and Jason Holder each took five wickets with yorkers, demonstrating their tremendous ball-handling ability, which is made even more potent when combined with bouncers that force the batsmen back. After a brutal game and a half, Holder destroyed Tendai Chatara’s middle stump to secure a 32-run victory and keep West Indies’ hopes of making it to the Super 12s alive.
West Indies are overjoyed as they record their first victory to keep pace with the other teams in Group B. With Alzarri Joseph setting the pace for a burst of great speed and animosity, their pacers surged through Zimbabwe to turn the chase on its head.
In Zimbabwe’s match against West Indies, Raza was instrumental with the bat, scoring three runs with his off-spin as the two-time champions fell behind, going from 77-1 in the 10th over to 101-6 in the 14th.
One of those dismissals was top scorer Johnson Charles (45 off 36), who was run out after getting mixed up with Rovman Powell and slipping over. At one point, West Indies lost four wickets for 11 runs in 11 deliveries that were legal.
Only 36 runs and four wickets were scored in the seven overs bowled by Sikandar Raza and Sean Williams.
Player’s Views post match
Nicholas Pooran- West Indies captain
They made their own luck; it was crucial for Akeal and Rovman to form that alliance at the very end. After those first two overs, the ball had more energy, but they unquestionably made and created their own luck. Since Mayers is the only one of our pacers who can swing the ball, it was decided to bowl him in the first over. Unfortunately, he hasn’t done it perfectly, but we support him.
Alzarri Joseph- Man of the match
Although it is very encouraging, the work is not finished. To progress to the main tournament, we have another match that we must win. Pulling it back for the team is considered as attempting to take an early wicket and, if unsuccessful, keeping it tight.Overall pleased with the performance, and the team worked very hard today.
