UAE deal blow to Zimbabwe's World Cup hopes

Zimbabwe's chances of reaching the 2019 World Cup are hanging by a thread after loss to UAE

UAE 235 for 7 (47.5 overs; Shahzad 59, Raza 3-41) beat Zimbabwe 226 for 7 (40 overs; Williams 80, Naveed 3-40) by three runs (D/L)

The equation was simple. Six balls. Fifteen runs. One World Cup place.

But Zimbabwe could only muster 11 from the final over - chasing 230 from a reduced 40 - and with that, the World Cup Qualifier host nation are all but out of the showpiece in England next summer.

Sean Williams (80) anchored the innings before quick-fire knocks from Sikandar Raza (34 from 26) and Craig Ervine (22 from 17) put Zimbabwe within touching distance.

However, UAE - who had lost all four of their Super Six matches - were not about to smooth Zimbabwe's path to the world stage.

Amir Hayat conceded just four from the penultimate over leaving a tricky 15 required from the last. Mohammad Naveed restricted them to 11 to earn his team a stirring victory.

It's not set in stone yet, Zimbabwe could still progress in the unlikely event of a tie in tomorrow's match between Afghanistan and Ireland, but the outlook is not good for Graeme Cremer's side.

It would be the first Word Cup without Zimbabwe present since 1979.