Wessly Madhevere’s hat-trick in the 43rd over turned the second ODI between Zimbabwe and the Netherlands on its head.
Zimbabwe had been bowled out for 271 in 49.2 overs, but drama ensued in the second innings, as it had in the first. The backbone of Zimbabwe’s innings was a 104-run partnership between Sean Williams (77) and Clive Madande (52). Shariz Ahmad starred for the Netherlands, taking 5/43, his first five-for in ODI cricket.
Netherlands were cruising towards the target of 272 at one point, with Tom Cooper (74) and Max O’Dowd (81) leading the way. Cooper was out in the 33rd over due to a run-out, and O’Dowd was out in the 41st over due to a run-out.
The equation was still in favour of the Netherlands at the start of the 44th over, with the tourists needing 59 runs from 42 balls and seven wickets in hand.
Madhevere, on the other hand, changed the game’s trajectory with the first three balls of his over.
Madande stumped Colin Ackermann, Teja Nidamanuru was bowled off the next ball, and Paul van Meekeren was bowled off the third delivery.
The score for the Netherlands dropped from 213 for three to 213 for six as a result of Madhevere’s hat trick. Madhevere was only the third Zimbabwean player to ever achieve this feat in an ODI.
The only other Zimbabwe players with an ODI hat-trick are Eddo Brandes and Prosper Utseya.
Zimbabwe won a thrilling game by one run thanks to the hat-trick.
