The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Qualifiers got underway at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday (June 18) with Zimbabwe taking on Nepal in the first game of the tournament. While it was Nepal who batted first and put on a good show with the bat, ultimately it was the home team who emerged victorious. The Asian side had posted 290/8 in their 50 overs but Zimbabwe reached their target with 35 balls to spare, winning the match by 8 wickets.
Not only did the Zimbabwe team but even the fans of the side managed to impress by their gesture at the stadium. Fans of the host country were seen collecting garbage and ensuring that the stadium remains clean. They even made it a point to make sure that the waste goes into proper disposable bags. The video of the same has surfaced on social media. Several others took to social media to applaud the gesture.
Here is the viral clip:
Coming back to the match, captain Craig Ervine and Sean Williams were the stand-out performers for the team. Both the batters scored splendid hundreds and remained unbeaten in the middle to make sure that the home team get off to a winning start to the tournament. While Ervine remained not out on 121 off 128 deliveries, Williams made 102 off just 70 balls. It was Ervine who was ajudged the Player of the Match.
With the ball, left-arm Richard Ngarava was the pick of the bowlers for Zimbabwe. He returned with figures of 4 for 43. Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani and Tendai Chatara were the other wicket-takers for the team.