West Indies vs U.S.A., 2nd Match, Group A at Harare, CWC Qualifier, Jun 18 2023 - Match Result

5:22pm Right. That will be a wrap from us for tonight. The action, though, does not stop in the ICC World Cup Qualifier. Tomorrow, Sri Lanka will take on the UAE, while Ireland clash with Oman. Do join us for both of those games. Until next time, this is me (Shashwat) signing off on behalf of Peter, Ranjith and everyone else at ESPNcricinfo! Goodbye and take care!

Gajanand Singh speaks to ESPNcricinfo: "I did it for my father. I was very emotional because he passed away when I made my ODI debut two years ago. It meant a lot to me."

Shai Hope, West Indies captain: (On the batting performance and batters not converting fifties into hundreds) I do not stress on milestones much. It is about getting runs on the board, does not matter if we are getting centuries are not. Mistakes happen, we need to learn from them. Hopefully we can correct them in the next game. (On Gajanand) I think he played well; thought he should have pushed a little bit more. (On where WI can improve) I think we need to be a bit more ruthless. Need to make sure that we bowl a lot more in consistent areas and think more positively moving forward. (Plans in the first ten overs) We need to plan better and execute even better. We need to get off strike better and when the balls are there (to hit), we have to capitalise.

Monank Patel, USA captain: (On the bowling effort) We started really well with the new ball, we applied ourselves. Kyle and Saurabh did really well. We created chances but our fielding was not up to standard. We dropped a lot of catches and ended up giving 30-40 runs extra. (On the total) I thought the wicket was nice to bat on in the second innings. Our batters (top four) did not apply ourselves to settle at the crease. If someone had supported Gajanand, things could have been different. (On Gajanand) Really happy the way he played. I hope he continues in the next few games. (On facing WI) We were pretty confident, there was not a lot of pressure. Just a few mistakes and we have to make sure we apply ourselves in the next game.

Jason Holder, Player of the Match: (On his batting) I was really pleased. The situation warranted that. Happy that we were able to get that partnership together and that I was there at the end. (On learnings from the last T20 World Cup) We need to start well. Obviously there will be process. You have to stick to your processes. We have to be disciplined and we have to stay calm. (On the toss) I think it is crucial. We were on the wrong side today but still came up with the right result. There is a bit of moisture so you have to be tight if you are batting first. He played a really good knock to get his team close enough to our total.

5:05pm Well, the result never really seemed in doubt, especially after the West Indies' bowling powerplay. They applied early pressure, picked up wickets and did not allow the USA batters to get away. They were excellent in the middle overs too, with their spinners stifling the USA batters and forcing them into mistakes.

Gajanand, though, stood strong, notching up his maiden ODI hundred and stitching together a brilliant 76-run partnership with Kenjige. While that was definitely a positive for USA, they would do well to look at where things went wrong. Their batting in the powerplay was not great and they let the West Indies spinners bowl where they wanted. Had they been slightly more proactive in the middle overs, they might have had a proper crack at this total, especially with their lower middle order showing fight.

Nevertheless, both teams will take plenty from this game. The West Indies would be thrilled with how they closed out this game, even if they would not be particularly pleased with how they ended up below 300. And that is certainly something they will look to rectify moving forward. USA, meanwhile, would want to draw as much from this experience and iron out the flaws that surfaced today.

Around the wicket now

Gajanand dropped his bat while trying to turn there. Nevertheless, he is on 99 now. Or is he? The umpires are checking for a short run. His bat might not have crossed the line before he dropped it, and it has indeed been signalled a short run. Gajanand on 98!

Chase to bowl the final over

This game is over as a contest with USA needing 47 in six balls. Gajanand, though, is only three away from a special hundred...