The ICC World Cup 2023 qualifiers round has brought consecutive staggering events, and finally, Sri Lanka and the Netherlands have made their way to the main stage of the World Cup.
The Asian Champions Sri Lanka had to undergo the qualifying round because of their lower position in the ICC ODI rankings. But they were invincible throughout the whole phase. Quite effortlessly, they defeated other opponents en route to secure their position.
Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne have become the 2nd and 3rd highest run-getter while Wahindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana have become the most number of wicket-takers, respectively.
For the 1st time, spectators will witness a World Cup without its former two times champions West Indies. Netherlands' heroic performance to tie the score of 374 and snatching triumph on the super over against the Caribbeans dazzled the cricketing world.
Scotland and Zimbabwe's dominance over the Caribbeans had thrown them out of the tournament. Moreover, their deservedness on the big stage will be questionable for their miserable performance from the group stage to the super sixes of the qualifiers.
The host nation of the qualifiers, Zimbabwe, was the next competent side after the Caribbean elimination. The side was in its full rhythm to qualify for the final stages.
Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, and Craig Ervine had their heyday in the crease. Williams got 3 centuries, while Raza and Ervine scored once each.
Raza got the fastest ODI hundred as a Zimbabwean against the Netherlands while chasing down 316. His remarkable all-round performance against the West Indies also enabled his side to attain victory. But the journey was ended by the Scottish wheeler.
The Scottish side successfully restricted Zimbabweans in an average-scoring game. Brandon McMullen and Richard Berrington had a good time with the bat and raised hope for their side. McMullen, Mark Adair and Chris Greaves were also effective with the ball in hand.
When The Scottish entry to the big stage seemed quite apparent, the Dutchess shattered their dream. One Dutch player, Bas De Leede, impressed with his all-round performance. With 15 scalps and 285 runs, Bas had a major contribution to the journey.
Additionally, Ireland, a regular side in the last few World Cups, wasn't even able to qualify for the super sixes of the qualifiers. Oman surpassed the Irish side in the group stages by achieving an impressive victory while chasing a considerable total of 282 in the group stages of the qualifying round. The amateur side also fought bravely against Zimbabwe while chasing 333, losing by a small margin of 14 runs.
Veteran Zimbabwe All-rounder Sean Williams has been named the Man of the Tournament. It is maybe the only consoling reward he could get before bidding goodbye to international cricket.
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