Shai Hope and Nicholas Pooran displayed exceptional batting performances, scoring centuries to lead the West Indies to a convincing 101-run victory over Nepal at the World Cup Qualifier in Harare on Thursday.
Hope contributed a remarkable 132 runs, while Pooran played aggressively, smashing a quick 115. The duo formed a formidable partnership of 216 runs for the fourth wicket, rescuing their team after a shaky start. The West Indies posted a challenging total of 339/7.
The West Indies got off to a rocky start, losing Kyle Mayers early for just one run and Johnson Charles for a duck, leaving them at 9/2. However, opener Brandon King stabilized the innings with a score of 32 before being dismissed by leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane.
“We were put on the back foot there,” said Hope. “The key was absorbing as much pressure as possible and then finding a way to transfer that pressure in the back end. Pooran made it a lot easier for me. The aim was to take it as deep as possible to give us the best chance towards the end.”
Hope and Pooran took control of the game in the 16th over, shifting the momentum in favor of the West Indies. Nepal’s dropped catch off Pooran early in his innings proved costly for the opposition. Wicket-keeper Aasif Sheikh missed an opportunity to dismiss Pooran off the bowling of Lalit Rajbanshi when the batsman was on just three runs.
While Hope maintained a steady pace, Pooran took on the role of the aggressor. Both players reached their respective centuries in the 40th over. Hope completed his 15th ODI hundred off 107 balls, while Pooran reached his second one-day century off 81 balls, four years after his first.
Eventually, Pooran was dismissed for 115 by Dipendra Singh Airee, who took a stunning catch off his own bowling. Rovman Powell (29) and Jason Holder (16 not out) contributed quick runs to ensure a formidable total for the West Indies. Hope was caught at long-off in the final over for 132, and the West Indies ended their innings at 339/7, with Lalit Rajbanshi taking 3/52.
Nepal struggled during their chase as Alzarri Joseph dismantled Kushal Bhurtel’s stumps in the second over. Bhim Sharki followed suit, getting caught behind off Jason Holder’s bowling while attempting a scoop shot. Although several Nepali batsmen made promising starts, only Aarif Sheikh managed to surpass fifty, scoring 63 before falling victim to a brilliant catch by Pooran in the deep. Nepal was eventually bowled out for 238.
Holder was the pick of the bowlers for the West Indies, claiming 3/34, while Joseph, Keemo Paul, and Akeal Hosein all took two wickets each.
With two wins in the bag, the West Indies moved ahead of hosts Zimbabwe at the top of Group A, based on net run rate. The West Indies and Zimbabwe will clash in their next match on Saturday.
In the other match on Thursday, the Netherlands bounced back from their initial defeat against Zimbabwe by inflicting a third consecutive loss on the United States. Shayan Jahangir top-scored with 71 for the USA, who managed to reach 211/8. However, Dutch captain Scott Edwards guided his team to a five-wicket victory with an unbeaten 67, supported by Teja Nidamanuru’s 58.
With the USA now eliminated from contention, the Netherlands and Nepal will face each other on Saturday in a crucial match that will likely determine which team advances to the Super Six stage.
The qualifiers continue on Friday
