Wesley Madhevere hat-trick helps Zimbabwe level ODI series against Netherlands with thrilling one-run win

Harare: Wesley Madhevere took a hat-trick and set up a dramatic finish as Zimbabwe beat Netherlands by one run in the second of three World Cup Super League one-day internationals in Harare on Thursday.

It went down to the last ball when last man Ryan Klein was run out attempting a near-impossible third run which would have tied the match.

The Netherlands were seemingly cruising in pursuit of Zimbabwe’s 271 all out at 213 for four before off-spinner Madhevere dismissed Colin Ackermann, Teja Nidamanuru and Paul van Meekeren off the first three balls of the 44th over.

#2ndODI - HAT-TRICK! Sensational bowling by spinner Wessly Madhevere! First hat-trick by a 🇿🇼 bowler since Prosper Utseya's feat against South Africa in 2014!🙇‍♂️😍

Watch it live and FREE on https://t.co/BA4jRh76Nt 📺#ZIMvNED | #ICCSuperLeague | #VisitZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/OtU61e3iet

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) March 23, 2023

Netherlands captain Scott Edwards hit 36 but his team’s hopes seemed over when he fell to off-spinner Sikandar Raza with 20 runs still needed off nine balls.

It came down to 10 needed off the last two balls.

Fred Klaassen hit a six off Tendai Chatara and then drove the last ball into the covers. The batsmen ran two but Brad Evans’ throw to Chatara left Klein well short of his ground.

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Max O’Dowd (81) and Tom Cooper (74) laid the foundation for what seemed a likely Netherlands win with a second-wicket partnership of 125 off 152 balls.

Sean Williams, returning after a finger injury, top-scored for Zimbabwe with 77 while 19-year-old leg-spinner Shariz Ahmad took five wickets for 43 runs for the Netherlands.

The series decider will be played at the same venue on Saturday.

Brief scores:

Zimbabwe 271 in 49.2 overs (C. Ervine 39, W. Madhevere 43, S. Williams 77, C. Madande 52; P van Meekeren 2-66, C. Ackermann 2-51, Shariz Ahmad 5-43) v Netherlands 270 in 50 overs (M. O’Dowd 81, T. Cooper 74, S. Edwards 36; S. Raza 3-39, Madhevere 3-36)

Result: Zimbabwe won by one run

Series: Tied at 1-1 with one match to come on Saturday

Toss: Zimbabwe

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