Nepal succumbed to an eight-wicket defeat against Zimbabwe in the opening match of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier after the home team captain Craig Ervine and Sean Williams smashed unbeaten centuries at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday.

Sent to bat first, Nepal posted a challenging target of 290-8 after openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh posted a record 171-partnership for Nepal in One Day International (ODI). But captain Ervine and Williams both slammed unconquered centuries in the run chase for the home team, who made 291-2 in 44.1 overs.

Nepal will take on the United States of America (USA) on Tuesday in their second match of Group ‘A’, which also comprises West Indies and the Netherlands.

The player-of-the-match Ervine, who came to open the innings, smashed 121 runs off 128, scoring his fourth ODI ton. The 37-year-old’s innings was studded with 15 hits to boundaries and a six.

Batting at number four, the 36-year-old Williams cracked 102 runs off 70 smashing his sixth ODI century that included 13 hits to fences and a six. The duo shared a 164-run unbeaten stand for third wicket punishing Nepali bowlers.

Nepal opener Bhurtel, the highest scorer of the Nepali innings, was dismissed one run short of his second ODI century in the 32nd over. He smashed 13 hits to fences and two sixes in his 95-ball knock before being bowled out by left arm spinner Wellington Masakadza as the first wicket. The 26-year-old got a lifeline in the fifth over on one run after he was dropped by Sikandar Raza.

Bhurtel’s opening partner Sheikh was the second highest scorer for Nepal contributing 66 runs off 100. Masakadza had him caught by Ryan Burl. The duo surpassed Nepal’s highest ODI partnership of 139 runs set by Gyanendra Malla and Sheikh himself for the second wicket against Namibia in the World Cricket League 2 in February at TU ground.

Kushal Malla, coming to bat at number three, scored 41 runs off 42 that included two hits to boundaries and three sixes. Captain Craig Ervine caught him in a delivery by Tendai Chatara with 225-4 on board in the 45th over. Captain Rohit Paudel scored 31 runs off 29 comprising five hits to boundaries before being dismissed as third wicket.

Aarif Sheikh (10 runs) and Gulsan Jha (13 runs) contributed for Nepal as six top order batters contributed in double digit figures. Nepal, however, could manage only 30 runs in the last five overs at the expenses of four wickets.

Zimbabwe’s left arm medium pacer Richard Ngarava was the pick of bowling claiming four wickets. He conceded 43 runs in his nine-over spell that included a maiden. Masakadza, who removed Nepali openers Bhurtel and Aasif, returned the match figures of 10-0-42-2. Tendai Chatara and Blessing Muzarbani picked one wicket each.

In Zimbabwe run chase, opener Joylord Gumbie was dismissed on 25 runs off 29 after he was trapped LBW by medium pacer Sompal Kami in the last delivery of the eighth over.

Wesley Madhevere was the only other wicket to fall for the home team. He scored 32 runs off 38 before medium pacer Gulsan Jha had him caught by Dipendra Singh Airee. Captain Ervine and Williams then took the charge, guiding the home team to victory in front of the jubilant home supporters.

While Kami and Jha pocketed a wicket each, spinner Lamichhane remained wicketless and also the most expensive bowler. Kami gave away 30 runs in his 5.3-over spell with a maiden. Jha conceded 56 runs in his eight-over bowling. Lamichhane gave away 77 runs in his 10-over bowling.

West Indies beat US

In another match of the group at the Highfield in Harare, West Indies registered a 39-run win over the United States to make a winning start to their campaign.

Put into bat first, West Indies posted 297 runs with three balls to spare on the back of a combined batting effort. Chasing the target, the US were restricted to 258-7 despite an unbeaten century by Gajanand Singh who slammed his maiden ODI ton scoring 101 runs off 109.

After losing the openers Brandon King (0) and Kyle Mayers (2) cheaply, four batters scored half centuries each. Hohnson Charles (66 runs off 80), Shai Hope (54 runs off 60), Roston Chase (55 runs off 55) and Jason Holder (56 runs off 40) all reached the half centuries mark to post a challenging total.

The US bowlers Saurabh Netravalkar, Kyle Phllip and Steven Taylor grabbed three wickets apiece.

Chasing the target, the US lost wickets cheaply in regular intervals and were tottering at 55-4 before Singh, batting at number six, gave much needed resistance with the unbeaten century. But his lone effort was not sufficient to deny West Indies from victory. Shayan Jahangir (39) and Nosthush Kenjige (not out 34) were other major contributors for the US.

West Indies bowler Kyle Mayers and Alzarri Joseph bagged two wickets each.