If all things are put into perspective their win over Pakistan in the T20 WC 2022 on Thursday was huge.
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Zimbabwe couldn’t qualify for the 2019 world cup. They missed out on the qualification round for the 2021 T20 world cup. They don’t play much cricket against top ranked sides either. If all things are put into perspective their win over Pakistan in the T20 WC 2022 on Thursday was huge. Not only because it gives them a realistic chance of qualifying for the next WC directly but also because now they have a real chance of qualifying for the semi final of this edition.
If Zimbabwe finishes in top 4 within their group, they qualify directly for the 2024 T20 WC in the West Indies and the USA. But they have given themselves a realistic chance of qualifying in the semifinal for this edition, albeit some luck going their way. They got 1 point from their game against South Africa, rain saved them, but Zimbabwe won’t mind that with what all that they have gone through in recent times.
Read more: India v Netherlands, T20 World Cup 2022: Talking points
Zimbabwe’s remaining games are against the Netherlands, Bangladesh and India. They should fancy themselves to beat the Netherlands. Bangladesh aren’t in the best of forms either and the Craig Ervine led team defeated them in a series at home not long ago. So the team would take confidence from that. As far as India is concerned, that would be their most difficult challenge. But if they play percentage cricket against the number 1 side in the world, they can challenge them too.
Zimbabwe can qualify to the semis even with 3 wins. That is if Pakistan beats South Africa and India too beat South Africa, Zimbabwe might go as the 2nd team with the Indian team finishing top of the table. South Africa in that scenario will have a maximum of 5 points while Zimbabwe can get to 7. Only time will tell what else the world cup has in store for the fans this year. But for now Zimbabwe will celebrate their win. For these wins don’t come regularly.
Their last famous win in a T20 WC came in the inaugural edition against Australia but since they had to wait 15 years for another memorable victory.
