Last Updated on 1 year by Charbel Coorey

ZIM vs SCO Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report ODI WC Qualifier 2023 Match 26 | ZIM vs SCO Dream11 Prediction Today | Bulawayo Pitch Report

The ODI World Cup Qualifier is heating up. It has been a fascinating tournament, and today has a quarter-final feel, with Scotland seeking to displace Zimbabwe into second place in the super six table.

If Zimbabwe win, they will qualify to the World Cup. If Scotland wins, they will go head-to-head with Netherlands on Thursday to decide who takes the second ticket to India alongside Sri Lanka. It is a game of epic proportions, so who holds their nerve best will be key.

Indeed, the Zimbabweans will be disappointed with their performance against Sri Lanka. They didn’t get going with the bat and lacked penetration with the ball. Now, their brilliant performances throughout the tournament can count for nothing if they don’t deliver today, which increases the pressure ten-fold. So, how will they respond?

The hosts start as favourites, but never count out the Scots. Their bowling has been a key feature of their cricket, limiting both Sri Lanka and West Indies in their past two outings. The performances of Brandon McMullen has been cause for joy, and a win today will send them to a virtual semi-final in two days’ time.

ODI WC Qualifier 2023 Match 26: ZIM vs SCO Possible Playing XIs

Zimbabwe: 1. Joylord Gumbie (wk), 2. Craig Ervine (c), 3. Wessly Madhevere, 4. Sean Williams, 5. Sikandar Raza, 6. Ryan Burl, 7. Luke Jongwe, 8. Wellington Masakadza, 9. Brad Evans, 10. Richard Ngarava, 11. Blessing Muzarabani

Scotland: 1. Christopher McBride, 2. Matthew Cross (wk), 3. Brandon McMullen, 4. Richie Berrington (c), 5. George Munsey, 6. Tomas Mackintosh, 7. Michael Leask, 8. Chris Greavs, 9. Mark Watt, 10. Safyaan Sharif, 11. Chris Sole

ZIM vs SCO Dream11 Prediction: Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Zimbabwe:

• Sean Williams is crucial to Zimbabwe’s hopes. The left-hander easily has the most runs in this tournament (588) at an average of 117.60 and strike rate of 141.68, including two fifties and three hundreds.
• Williams has the third-most runs at Bulawayo with 940 (avg. 39.16, SR 88.84).
• Sikandar Raza’s combination with Williams has beared great fruit for the hosts. The vital Raza has also had an excellent tournament with 291 and nine wickets.
• A good start from Craig Ervine can settle Zimbabwean nerves. The skipper averages 33.15 in 16 ODIs on this ground.
• Richard Ngarava is Zimbabwe’s top wicket-taker this series with 13. Seven of these wickets have come in the final ten overs, with three coming in the powerplay.
• Zimbabwe need wickets from Blessing Muzarabani. Interestingly, he has picked up just one wicket in 119 deliveries when bowling first in this tournament. Can he turn that around?

Scotland:

• Brandon McMullen continues to impress. He was man of the match against West Indies after ripping through the top order (3/32) and then scoring 69.
• McMullen is Scotland’s highest run-scorer (224) and second-highest wicket-taker (10) in the 2023 ODI World Cup Qualifier.
• Matthew Cross found form against West Indies. He scored 74*. Against Zimbabwe in 2017-2018, Cross scored just 49 runs in three innings.
• Richie Berrington has struck a century and half-century in five matches in this tournament: 220 runs, avg. 55.00, SR 88.35.
• Zimbabwe had their issues against spin on a slowing Bulawayo track against Sri Lanka. Expect Chris Greaves (12 wickets, avg. 14.83, econ. 5.18) and Mark Watt (eight wickets, avg. 24.87, econ. 4.42) to have a say in the contest.

Other Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 3, Zimbabwe 1, Scotland 1, tied 1.
• The two teams played a thrilling tie in the 2018 Qualifier. Richie Berrington top scored with 47 for Scotland while Craig Ervine (57) was the only half-centurion in the match.
• Craig Ervine has scored just 136 runs in four innings outside of his 121* in this tournament.

Queens Sports Club Bulawayo Pitch Report and Weather

The Bulawayo surface has been showing signs of slowing down in recent matches. There have been three scores under 250 in the past four matches (245, 213 and 165), but the team batting first won two of those matches. Overall, the team batting first has won five of eight matches at Bulawayo in this tournament.

A cool but mostly clear day is forecast, with a top of around 22 degrees.

ODI WC Qualifier 2023 Match 26: ZIM vs SCO Dream11 Prediction Today 4 July

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

SCO vs WI Dream11 Prediction: Ideal team combination

• 1 wicket-keeper
• 2-3 batsmen
• 4 all-rounders
• 3-4 bowlers

Option 1:

Option 2:

ODI WC Qualifier 2023 Match 26: ZIM vs SCO Match Prediction

A very close match in store. Zimbabwe start as favourites, but if Scotland limit the impact of Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza, they will win.