Zimbabwe vs Scotland*, ICC WCQ 2023, Today Match Prediction 04 July 2023

zim vs sct Match Prediction & Analysis

Zimbabwe will look to make a strong comeback as they take on Scotland in the 6th Super Six game of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers 2023.  The winner of this game would meet Sri Lanka in the final. Zimbabwe suffered its first loss in the last game against Sri Lanka and has otherwise been in good form. In the last game, Scotland defeated West Indies squarely, and they will carry confidence from that performance.  

Zimbabwe has batted well in the tournament barring the last game. The top 4 have made runs, which will make the side confident as they play at home and shall have the crowds cheering for them. Scotland has already knocked West Indies out of the tournament, and they will aim for the same in what promises to be a close contest. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Zimbabwe Preview

Craig Ervine's side had its first bad day of the tournament as they went down against Sri Lanka by 9 wickets. It was a poor show from their batsmen as they bundled out for 165 runs. They need to win this game to reach the final and book a ticket for the World Cup. Ervine would like to see a good show from his team as his opponents come into this game with a big win.   

Craig Ervine and Joylord Gumbie have given positive starts, and the pair will look to repeat the same here. Sean Williams is in the form of his life and must anchor the innings in the middle order and build partnerships with Wesley Madhevere and Sikandar Raza. They will also expect a good show from Ryan Burl and Luke Jongwe in the finishers' role.  

Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani must get early wickets, as Scotland has tended to fall apart without a good start. Raza brings in a lot of experience, and he must bowl tight lines in the middle overs along with Brand Evans. Wellington Masakadza, Williams, and Madhevere must do well in the supporting role.

Zimbabwe Predicted Playing XI:

Craig Ervine (c), Joylord Gumbie (wk), Sean Williams, Wessly Madhevere, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Wellington Masakadza, Brad Evans, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani

Zimbabwe Actual Playing XI:

Richard Ngarava, Joylord Gumbie, Craig Ervine, Wellington Masakadza, Sikandar Raza, Blessing Muzarabani, Ryan Burl, Innocent Kaia, Wesley Madhevere, Tendai Chatara, Sean Williams

Scotland* Preview

Richie Berrington will be extremely proud of his side's efforts in the last game against the West Indies. It was a comprehensive 7-wicket win for the team as they knocked the former champions out of the 2023 World Cup. It will be a tougher game against Zimbabwe, who have been in good form. Berrington would like his players to approach this game professionally and continue with the momentum.  

Matthew Cross played a good knock in the last game and will look to set up a big partnership with Christopher McBride in this game. Brandon McMullen has been in good form, and he must anchor the middle order with George Munsey and Richie Berrington. The side enjoys depth in the batting line-up, and they will look for runs from Tomas Mackintosh, Michael Leask, and Chris Greaves. 

Their bowlers did a wonderful job in the last game, and they have to repeat the same against Zimbabwean batters, who are in good form. Brandon McMullen and Chris Sole must strike early to put the hosts in the backseat. Mark Watt and Safyaan Sharif need to keep the scoring under check in the middle overs. The side will also expect a good show from Leask, Greaves, and Christopher McBride in the supporting role.

Scotland* Predicted Playing XI:

Richie Berrington (c), Matthew Cross (wk), Christopher McBride, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Tomas Mackintosh, Michael Leask, Chris Greaves, Mark Watt, Safyaan Sharif, Chris Sole

Scotland* Actual Playing XI:

Tom Mackintosh, Chris Greaves, Richie Berrington, Matthew Cross, Chris Sole, Mark Watt, Safyaan Sharif, George Munsey, Christopher McBride, Brandon McMullen, Michael Leask

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

We will see clear skies over Bulawayo. The wicket balances it out between the batsmen and the bowlers. We expect to see the ball move early in the game, and the batting conditions shall ease as the game progresses. The side batting first will be happy to have 300 runs on the board.

Venue Details

Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, is a batsman's paradise. They can play their strokes freely once they see off the new ball. Fast bowlers get assistance from the track early in the morning. Spinners have done well on this surface as they can turn the ball sharply, and it stops on the batsmen occasionally.

Toss: To Bowl

Toss has been crucial in this tournament. The batting conditions have been challenging early in the morning, and they have eased as the game has progressed. Both captains shall have this in their minds at the toss, and the side winning it will opt to bowl first.