Zimbabwe took on Netherlands at the Harare Sports Club in the third and final match of the series and defeated the visitors by seven wickets.
After winning the toss, Netherlands elected to bat and managed to post 231 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their allotted 50 overs. The top scorers for Netherlands were Max O’Dowd (38), Colin Ackermann (37), and Scott Edwards (34). Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s bowling attack put up an impressive performance, with Sean Williams picking up three wickets for 41 runs and Sikandar Raza and Tendai Chatara taking two and one wickets, respectively.
In response, Zimbabwe chased down the target with ease, amassing 235 runs for the loss of only three wickets in just 41.4 overs. Gary Ballance played a vital role in the chase, scoring an unbeaten 64 off 72 balls, while Wesley Madhevere and Craig Ervine contributed with 50 and 44 runs, respectively. Williams also chipped in with handy 43 runs.
On the other hand, Netherlands bowlers struggled to contain the host batters. Shariz Ahmad picked up two wickets but conceded 71 runs in his 9.4 overs. Zimbabwe won the match by seven wickets with 50 balls to spare.
In the mean time, William for his all-round performance was adjudged the ‘Player of the Match’ and the ‘Player of the Series.’ Notably
With this win, Zimbabwe won the series 2-1, having lost the first match but winning the second and third matches convincingly. Zimbabwe would be pleased with their overall performance in the series and the way their players made an impressive comeback.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Jubilant scenes in the capacity crowd at Harare Sports Club as 🇿🇼 cruise to a 7-wicket win against @KNCBcricket to clinch the series 2-1!#ZIMvNED | #ICCSuperLeague | #VisitZimbabwe | #FillUpHarareSportsClub pic.twitter.com/1eCFCVWi5I
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) March 25, 2023
An utter and comprehensive thumping from Zimbabwe over The Netherlands. Impressive batting and bowling all round.
A deserved 7 wicket win and a deserved 2-1 series win.
Congrats gents 🇿🇼 pic.twitter.com/DsS5aNLlu8
— Adam Theo🇿🇼🏏 (@AdamTheofilatos) March 25, 2023
Today's hero, Gary Ballance. 64 not out. Go Chevrons 🇿🇼🏏 pic.twitter.com/vlVvlRMhHB
— Street Hustler_Gri8zmann🇪🇸💯💴 (@Munyah_Wacho) March 25, 2023
Zimbabwe win the series 2-1 after thrashing Netherlands by 7 wickets in the 3rd ODI.#ZIMvNED Scorecard: https://t.co/xnA6zOafdB #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/gKtjiXyHBn
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) March 25, 2023
Another series 🏆 #ZIMvNED@ZimCricketv has consistently become a breath of fresh air, particularly with that's happening to the national football side 😔
Congrats on a fantastic comeback & series win lads.
Looking forward to the ODI WC qualifiers.Keep making us proud, ❣️ pic.twitter.com/hXkI3rHV1J
— Davis Laque (@Laque_davis) March 25, 2023
Crowds Comes In LARGE NUMBERS To Cheer Up Home Team vs Netherlands Today In FINAL DECIDER #cricket #ZIMvNED #zimbabwe #Netherlands pic.twitter.com/Gs6UKqf3XX
— Daily Cricket (@dailycricketDC) March 25, 2023
Zimbabwe beat Netherlands in series Decider by 7 wickets. Incredible batting from Gary Ballance 64 runs and great finish from Sikandar Raza 18* off 9.
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsCult) March 25, 2023
#3rdODI – FIFTY! Fourth ODI half-century for Gary Ballance! 👏
Watch #ZIMvNED live and FREE on https://t.co/BA4jRh76Nt 📺#ZIMvNED | #ICCSuperLeague | #VisitZimbabwe | #FillUpHarareSportsClub pic.twitter.com/oAMWLyjPSe
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) March 25, 2023
#ZIMvNED congratulations @ZimCricketv what a series
— ʙᴇᴀʀᴅᴇᴅ ᴍᴇ 🇿🇼 (@infinitepuls) March 25, 2023