The two teams will now take on each other in the final of the qualifier tournament, being held in Zimbabwe itself, the result of which will decide the group stage pairings of the sides. The winner will be placed in Group B alongside West Indies, Ireland and Scotland, while the losing team will have to ward off challenges from Sri Lanka, Namibia and the United Arab Emirates. Each group will see two teams qualify for the Super 12 stage.

The Zimbabwean side was largely propelled by its top order in the semi-final against Papua New Guinea, who had qualified for the 2021 edition. Regis Chakabva, Craig Ervine and Wesley Madhevere all scored 30-plus runs at excellent strike rates to take the team to a daunting total of 199/5 in their 20 overs. The opposition never looked like reaching the target, having crumbled to 34/3 in the fifth over. However, a valiant 66 off just 35 deliveries from Tony Ura gave hopes to the island nation, but it was never going to be enough even though he earned himself the man of the match award. They eventually fell 27-runs short, as Blessing Muzarabani was the top performer amidst eight bowlers used by Zimbabwe, returning figures of 2/24 in his four overs. 

This will be Zimbabwe’s first appearance in an ICC World Cup in six years, last having appeared in the 2016 edition of the World T20.

The Netherlands will be keen to improve upon their performance in the previous tournament. They lost all their three group stage games in 2021, including a humiliation against Sri Lanka where they were bowled out for a paltry 44.