Ervine, Williams tons thump Nepal in World Cup Qualifier opener

An unbroken 164-run partnership between Craig Ervine and Sean Williams saw Zimbabwe canter to an eight-wicket victory against Nepal to open their World Cup Qualifier campaign. At a packed Harare Sports Club, Ervine played a captain’s knock to ensure Nepal’s 290 for 8 never looked overwhelming for his side, his fourth ODI hundred the highlight of a brilliant Zimbabwean batting performance. Williams went one better, scoring Zimbabwe’s fastest ever hundred to help the side wrap up the game with nearly six overs to spare.

Zimbabwe 291 for 2 (Craig Ervine 121*, Sean Williams 102*, Joylord Gumbie 25, Wessly Madhevere 32; Sompal Kami 1-30) beat Nepal 290 for 8 in 50 overs (Kushal Bhurtel 99, Aasif Sheikh 66, Kushal Malla 41, Rohit Paudel 31; Wellington Masakadza 2-42, Richard Ngarava 4-43) by eight wickets