Alzarri Joseph Steers West Indies To An Important 31-Run Win Against Zimbabwe In T20 World Cup

WI vs ZIM: Two-time T20 World Champions West Indies, playing in Round 1 of T20 World Cup 2022 to qualify for the Super 12 stage, defeated Zimbabwe by 31 runs in the 8th match. Alzarri Joseph was the star of this win as West Indies have kept hopes of qualifying for Super 12 stages alive. 

Defending 154 runs, West Indies grabbed their first wicket in the form of Regis Chakabva (13) in the 3rd over. Tony Munyonga (47) was the next to depart followed by Sean Williams as Zimbabwe lost three wickets inside the powerplay. Alzarri Joseph, who picked two wickets in the powerplay, brought West Indies into the game. 

Zimbabwe went on to lose wickets at regular intervals and looked out of the game. However, Luke Jongwe gave a mighty scare as he smashed 29 runs with 3 fours & a six. But Alzarri Joseph struck again, dismissing Jongwe on the first ball of the 18th over, and cementing West Indies' win.

West Indies lost their first match of Round 1 against Scotland and were in a do-or-die situation, but they restricted Zimbabwe to 122/10 in 18.2 overs to register a crucial win. For West Indies, Joseph picked up 4 wickets while Jason Holder finished with 3 wickets. Akeal Hosein, Obed McCoy and Odean Smith also managed 1 wicket each.

For Zimbabwe, Jonge (29) and Wesley Madhevere (27) were the top scorers as none of the other batters were able to cross the 20-run mark. In the first innings, Courtesy of Johnson Charles, West Indies managed to post 153/7 against Zimbabwe in the Round 1 of the T20 World Cup 2022. Sikandar Raza shined with the ball for Zimbabwe as he picked up 3 wickets. 

Opening the innings, Johnson Charles smacked 45 runs off 36 balls with 3 fours & 2 sixes. West Indies were cruising at one point on 77/1, but then Zimbabwe grabbed 5 quick wickets for 24 runs. 

Owing to this West Indies were held to 101/6 in 13.6 overs. From there, Rovman Powell and Akeal Hosein held the crease as these two added 49 runs in 35 balls for the 7th wicket, taking West Indies to a fight-worthy score. 

For Zimbabwe, Sikandar Raza was the star with the ball as he picked up 3 wickets. Blessing Muzarabani also picked up 2 wickets while Sean Williams registered 1 wicket to his name. 

Also Read: T20 WC Schedule & squads 2022

Earlier, West Indies captain Nicholas Pooran won the toss & opted to bat first against Zimbabwe in 8th match of Round 1 in T20 World Cup 2022. This match is being played at Bellerive Oval, Hobart. 

Brief Score:

• West Indies – 153/7 (Charles - 45(36), Raza - 3/19)
• Zimbabwe – 122/10 in 18.2 overs (Jongwe - 29(22), Joseph - 4/16)