Xtra Time Web Desk: Logan van Beek’s super heroism led the Netherlands to a famous victory over West Indies, who suffered their second consecutive defeat in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Qualifier. Van Beek scored 30 with the bat before taking the ball and conceding just eight, leading his team to a win that saw them finish second in Group A and take two valuable points to the Super Six stage.
A Harare thriller saw both sides finish on 374 from their 50 overs, at which point van Beek took center stage. Having dropped on the final ball of the regular innings for a 14-ball 28 with only one single required, the all-rounder hit three sixes and three fours of Jason Holder’s super over bowled.
Holder had made a brilliant catch earlier to dismiss van Beek and force the unlikely equalizer, but the Dutchman took control and took out Johnson Charles and Romario Shepherd with back-to-back balls after their fireworks with the bat to decide the outcome.
Also Read: ICC CWC 2023: Eden Gardens and Wankhede Stadium to Host Both Semi-Finals
The Windies started strong with the bat after being fielded as starters Johnson Charles and Brandon King (76) added 101 before the former was pinned lbw for 54.
Saqib Zulfiqar dismissed Sharmah Brooks (25) and King (76) in back-to-back overs before another century, this time between Shai Hope and Nicholas Pooran, ended when Hope was caught on the rope looking to win a half-century with a top. Pooran mentioned his second successive century before starting Keemo Paul as the Windies hit 61 in the last five overs.
Dutch openers Vikramjit Singh (37) and Max O’Dowd (36) added 71 inside 10 overs in reply, but Roston Chase dismissed both as the West Indies fought back. Wesley Barresi (27) and Bas de Leede (33) kept the Netherlands on track and after both were bowled out by Akeal Hosein, Teja Nidamanuru and captain Scott Edwards hit 143 in just 15 overs to set up a frantic finish.
Edwards (67) was the first to go and the game was balanced again when Centurion Nidamanuru (111) picked Chase at third man. Aryan Dutt (16) and van Beek brought the equation to five of as many balls, but Joseph took two wickets at death to force a super over.
Van Beek made no mistake the second time he called to lead his team to a momentous victory following his highest ever ODI score.
Elsewhere, Sean Williams’ fearless 174 helped Zimbabwe maintain their 100 per cent record by beating the United States by 304 runs.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24742194/350457055_218583294315389_8997521909640967870_n.jpg)