World Cup Qualifier / Two-time world champion out of West Indies World Cup, defeated by Scotland

World Cup Qualifier: Before the ODI World Cup 2023, finally that untoward thing has happened, the fear of which was troubling everyone. For the first time in the history of the World Cup, the tournament will be held without the West Indies. West Indies, which won the first World Cup in cricket history 48 years ago, will not be a part of the World Cup for the first time. West Indies were eliminated before reaching the World Cup with a crushing defeat against Scotland in the World Cup Qualifier by 7 wickets.

In the World Cup qualifier tournament being played in Zimbabwe, two former champions and strong teams in the form of West Indies and Sri Lanka had to face many small teams. Before the start of the tournament, it was believed that both the teams would easily qualify. Sri Lanka is on the verge of getting the World Cup ticket but the Windies team had to face its worst phase.

West Indies players scattered again

Shai Hope's West Indies prospects had already started collapsing after facing shock defeats first against Zimbabwe and then against the Netherlands. Even after this, if there was some hope left, then victory was necessary for him, but perhaps the West Indies could not recover from the previous setbacks and it was disintegrated against Scotland as well.

Scotland bowled first and they demolished the West Indies in the very beginning. All-rounder Brendon McMullan (3/32), who was performing strongly in the tournament, piled up the top 3 batsmen of West Indies in his first three overs. 4 wickets had fallen for only 30 runs. Soon the efforts of Captain Hope and Nicholas Pooran also failed.

West Indies piled on just 181

West Indies' score was only 81 runs till the 21st over while 6 wickets had fallen. From here Jason Holder (45) and Romario Shepherd (36) took over the team. There was a 77-run partnership between the two, which gave West Indies some hope but it was not enough. Both the batsmen were dismissed in two consecutive overs and soon the entire team collapsed for 181 runs.

Scotland created history

Even after this, if there was some hope, then something amazing was needed from the West Indies bowlers. On the very first ball of the innings, Jason Holder made a similar start by dismissing Scotland opener Christopher McBride. Once again, however, McMullan came to his rescue. McMullan (69) stitched a century partnership with Matthew Cross to seal West Indies' defeat.

Both shared a partnership of 125 runs. Romario Shepherd made McMullan his victim. He scored 69 runs. At the same time, Matthew Cross (74) completed his half-century and finally returned after giving the team a memorable victory. This is Scotland's first win over the West Indies. Scotland not only ousted the West Indies, but also kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup.