Zimbabwe's journey towards securing a spot in the ICC World Cup took a significant leap as they clinched a thrilling 14-run victory over Oman in the Super Six stage of the qualifiers. The hero of the match was once again Sean Williams, who scored his second consecutive century to propel his team towards the coveted 50-over showpiece in India.
Having won all four matches in the group stages, Zimbabwe carried their winning momentum into the Super Six and now sit comfortably at six points, with four points carried over and an additional two earned in the match against Oman at the Queens Sports Club.
Oman put up a valiant fight, led by Kashyap Prajapati's century, but struggled to keep up with the required run rate while chasing a formidable target of 333.
Sean Williams continued his exceptional form in the tournament, smashing a brilliant 142 off just 103 balls. His explosive innings laid a solid foundation for Zimbabwe, who posted a commanding total of 332 for seven after being put into bat.
Williams took charge after the dismissals of captain Craig Ervine and Joylord Gumbie, forging a crucial 112-run partnership with Sikandar Raza. The duo set the stage for a massive score, although Fayyaz Butt's four-wicket haul disrupted their momentum.
Despite losing key batsmen, Zimbabwe managed to reach 276 for six with five overs remaining. Luke Jongwe's unbeaten 43 off 28 balls provided the late flourish that propelled their total even higher.
Chasing a steep target, Oman made a positive start with an opening partnership of 29 runs. However, the fall of Jatinder Singh early on halted their progress. Kashyap Prajapati and Aqib Ilyas then took charge, adding 83 runs to the scoreboard.
Zimbabwe's Raza dismissed Aqib Ilyas for 45, and shortly after, Oman's skipper retired hurt due to a hamstring injury. With the required run rate climbing, Kashyap's century seemed crucial for Oman's chances. However, a stunning catch from Raza off Blessing Muzarabani ended Kashyap's impressive knock at 103 runs off 97 balls.
Oman was left needing 142 runs from 15 overs, but Richard Ngarava's dismissal of Shoaib Khan dealt another blow to their chase. Ultimately, Zimbabwe's strong performance with both bat and ball secured them a well-deserved victory.
With each match, Sean Williams continues to be a key driving force behind Zimbabwe's success in the World Cup qualifiers. As the team edges closer to qualification, their hopes of making a mark in the upcoming World Cup in India are growing stronger.