Windies beat Netherlands in rain-hit clash to maintain perfect record in ICC World Cup Qualifiers

Windies, Ireland, UAE, Zimbabwe, Scotland and Afghanistan progress to Super Six stage

By Sam Drury

Image: Evin Lewis hit 84 as the Windies posted 309-6 against the Netherlands

Half-centuries from Evin Lewis, Marlon Samuels and Rovman Powell helped Windies to a comfortable 54-run DLS victory over the Netherlands in the ICC World Cup Qualifier.

The victory maintains their 100 per cent winning record in the group stage of the tournament and puts them in a very strong position for the Super Six phase.

Lewis (84) and Chris Gayle (46 off 31 balls) put on 85 for the first wicket and further fifties from Samuels (73no) and Powell (52 off 38 balls) took the Windies up to 309-6 from their 50 overs.

After losing two early, the Netherlands recovered well and appeared well placed with opener Wesley Barresi and Ryan ten Doeschate at the crease.

They added 113 for the third wicket but when Barresi (67) was run out, the innings began to unravel, 142-2 became 167-6 and although Ten Doeschate (67no) remained, the rain came down to completely extinguish the Netherlands' fading hopes.

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WINDIES v NETHERLANDS SCORECARD

Scotland and Zimbabwe played out an incredible tie to ensure both sides remain unbeaten going into the Super Sixes.

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Image: Safyaan Sharif claimed a five-wicket haul but Scotland fell agonisingly short of victory

Opening bowler Safyaan Sharif took 5-33 and Michael Leask claimed 4-37 as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 210 inside 47 overs, Craig Ervine top-scoring with 57.

Scotland lost wickets at regular intervals during the chase but still found themselves needing just two from seven balls with two wickets in hand.

However, Mark Watt was dismissed from the last ball of the 49th over and after a wide levelled the scores, Bradley Wheal was caught behind off Blessing Muzarabani next ball and the match was tied.

ZIMBABWE v SCOTLAND SCORECARD

Paul Stirling hit his sixth ODI century as Ireland ended the group stages with a thumping victory over the United Arab Emirates, winning by 226 runs (DLS).

Image: Paul Stirling made 126 in an opening stand of 205

Stirling and captain Will Porterfield (92) shared an opening stand 205 before Kevin O'Brien (50no) smashed a 26-ball half-century to take Ireland up to 313-6 in an innings cut to 44 overs due to rain.

Boyd Ranking then took 4-15 as the UAE were blown away by the Irish bowlers, eventually succumbing to 91 all out in the 30th over.

Despite the heavy defeat, the UAE will compete in the Super Sixes thanks to the Windies' win over the Netherlands.

IRELAND v UAE SCORECARD

Meanwhile, one of the pre-tournament favourites Afghanistan have scrapped into the Super Sixes but were indebted to Nepal, who beat Hong Kong by five wickets.

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Having lost their first three games, Afghanistan were ahead of Hong Kong only on net run-rate and needed a favour from Nepal in order to progress.

Paras Khadka's side duly obliged but only after a stand of 89 between Rohit Kumar and Sompal Kami rescued them from 66-5, having bowled Hong Kong out for 153.

HONG KONG v NEPAL SCORECARD

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