In the warm-up match between Zimbabwe and Oman for the ICC World Cup qualifiers, Sikandar Raza sizzled with a scintillating knock that ultimately propelled his team to a victory at the Takashinga Sports Club in Harare. After stroking a stupendous century with the bat, Raza translated his confidence into bowling and bagged a three-wicket haul that downed a spirited run chase from Oman.
Batting first, Zimbabwe posted a mammoth total of 367/6 in 50 overs. Raza led the charge for the Zimbabweans with a thunderous century. After smashing 110 runs off 67 balls with the help of seven fours and as many sixes, the right-handed veteran batter retired hurt in order to let other batters get some practice.
Sean Williams (64 runs off 53 balls) smashed six fours and two sixes in his innings and made a handy contribution. Ryan Burl unleashed some lusty blows in his knock of 68 runs off 52 balls. Burl powered four fours and as many sixes during his cameo.
For Oman, Fayyaz Butt was the pick of all bowlers as he finished with figures of 2/39 in nine overs. Bilal Khan chipped in with two wickets as well while Mohammad Nadeem and Ayan Khan bagged a wicket each.
Oman put on a commendable display with the bat during their run chase. Aqib IIyas scored a played a superb knock of 115 runs off 104 balls with the help of 15 fours and one six. Ayan Khan joined in with a belligerent knock of 91 runs in 76 balls with the help of nine fours and three sixes. Despite solid innings from Aqib and Ayan, Oman fell short by 28 runs as they were bundled out for 339 runs in 49.4 overs.
For Zimbabwe, Raza finished with figures of 3/43 in eight overs while Brad Evans registered figures of 3/44 in five overs. Blessing Muzarabani bagged two wickets while Richard Ngarava and Wesley Madhevere chipped in with a wicket each.
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