For the first time in their cricketing history, two-time champions West Indies face the risk of not qualifying for the highly-anticipated ODI World Cup 2023.
The Windies dropped to the third position in Group 'A' after Zimbabwe handed them a 35-run defeat on Saturday in the World Cup Qualifiers.
This jeopardised their qualification hopes as West Indies now face a tough challenge in their final group game versus Netherlands, who are placed second.
Shai Hope & Co have already sealed their berth for the Super Six Stage to be played against the top 3 teams of Group 'B' in the Qualifiers. However, all teams coming into the Super Six league carry over their wins, net run rate points and losses.
West Indies have won 2 games and lost 1, while Zimbabwe enter the Super Six without any loss.
Two wins in the following stage will easily put Zimbabwe on the flight to India at the cost of West Indies.
Hope's men will have to win their next 4 games, which include the Super Six matches to stay in the qualification race.
The Windies have been a mere shadow of their dominant selves in ODIs for the past few years, finishing ninth on the points table of the 2019 World Cup.