The defending champions played their 1st Qualifying match against Zimbabwe today. Zimbabwe won the toss and decided to bat, but it did not work out for them as planned. They lost early wickets and didn't manage to strike even a small partnership. The Windies bowlers did a good job and kept a good line and length. Taylor and Bradshaw made early inroads into the Zimbabwe batting line-up with Gayle and Smith picking up crucial wickets at the end. 

The West Indies bowled out the Zims for only 85. When the Windies batsmen came on, it was a matter of how many overs would it take for them to reach the target rather than will they reach it. Chris Gayle looked in great touch scoring 41 off only 34 balls. He was later dismissed by Chigumbura caught by Matsikenyeri. Lara came at number 3 and blazed away to a quick fire 24 in 20 balls for West Indies to reach the target in just 14 overs. 

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