How can West Indies still qualify for ODI World Cup: West Indies’ chances of qualifying for the Cricket World Cup are in jeopardy after losing one of the most amazing One-Day International (ODI) games ever played against Netherlands in Harare.
The West Indies were optimistic of easily winning after being given 375 to win. Teja Nidamanuru’s stunning hundred kept the Netherlands in the hunt, but after he was dismissed, the Netherlands’ hopes melted away. What happened next was incredible. Logan and Aryan’s 21-baal 44-run partnership re-introduced the Dutch into the contest. Logan van Beek smashed 28 off 14 balls before falling with a single required off the final ball.
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Following a tie in the match in which both teams made 374 in their respective 50 overs, van Beek struck 30 runs off six balls allotted to the Netherlands, hitting three fours and as many sixes off Jason Holder, setting a new record for most runs hit in an ODI Super Over.
He then returned with the ball to dismiss Johnson Charles and Holder while giving only eight runs to help the Netherlands win an incredible game.
But the major question is, what do the West Indies need to do now to qualify for the ODI World Cup?
As of now, the Windies have qualified for the Super Six round after finishing third in Group A’s qualifying table. So, the equation for the two-time winners is to win their remaining matches against Sri Lanka, Scotland, and Oman.
These victories may not be enough to qualify them for the World Cup in October.
They should not give up hope, though, and should take inspiration from Afghanistan, who rose from a similar situation to qualify for the World Cup 2019.
Two-time winners West Indies have featured in every tournament since it began in 1975, but with just the top two teams from the Super Sixes qualifying for the main event, their chances currently seem dim.
