(ICC) Sean Williams’ swashbuckling 174 helped Zimbabwe maintain their 100 per cent record as they beat USA by 304 runs.
A USA side hampered by the absence of Saurabh Netravalkar and Ali Khan were given a tough time by Zimbabwe’s captain as Williams inspired the hosts to their latest victory.
After being put in by Monank Patel, Zimbabwe’s opening pair of Joylord Gumbie and Innocent Kaia started steadily, making 56 for the first wicket before Williams arrived at the crease.
He immediately set about dismantling the USA attack, hitting Nisarg Patel for three consecutive boundaries and brought up his 33-ball half-century with a six off Singh.
His century followed off just 70 deliveries but Gumbie’s luck ran out on 78 when was stumped off the bowling of Nosthush Kenjige.
Sikandar Raza was in an equally destructive mood, hitting 48 off 27 before Ryan Burl made a quickfire 47 from 16 deliveries.
Williams finally fell for 174 but, with 408 on the board, the stand-in captain had more than fulfilled his duties with the bat, while Zimbabwe’s bowlers then backed him up with a trio of early wickets putting them in a commanding position.
Richard Ngarava dismissed openers Steven Taylor (0) and Sushant Modani (6), starting a steady stream of wickets at regular intervals, with captain Patel (9), Aaron Jones (8) and Garjanand Singh (13) all departing as quickly as they had arrived.
Things went from bad to worse when Shayan Jahangir was run out without facing, just two balls after Jones had also been stranded.
Abhishek Paradkar (24) and Singh (21) offered some resistance but the Zimbabwe attack were on a mission to wrap up the contest as soon as possible and did so in the 26th over when Usman Rafiq was run out.
Scores in brief
Zimbabwe beat USA at Harare Sports Club, Harare by 304 runs
Zimbabwe 408/6 in 50 overs (Sean Williams 174, Joylord Gambie 78; Abhishek Paradkar 3/78; Jessy Singh 2/97)
USA 104 all out in 25.1 overs (Abhishek Paradkar 24, Jessy Singh 21; Sikandar Raza (2/15, Richard Ngarava 2/25)
West Indies tied with Netherlands at Takashinga Cricket Club, Harare
West Indies 374/6 in 50 overs (Nicholas Pooran 104 not out, Brandon King 76; Saqid Zulfiqar 2/43, Bas de Leede 2/72)
Netherlands 374/9 in 50 overs (Teja Nidamanuru 111, Scott Edwards 67; Roston Chase 3/77, Akeal Hosein 2/73)
Netherlands 30/0 in Super Over (Logan van Beek 30)
West Indies 8/2 in Super Over (Logan van Beek 2/8)
Today’s fixtures
Scotland v Sri Lanka at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Ireland v UAE at Bulawayo Athletic Club, Bulawayo
