West Indies won the first two men's World Cups and reached the final of the third, but they stirred concerns of elimination from this year's tournament when they lost to Zimbabwe in Harare on Saturday, reports Cricbuzz.

Zimbabwe won the World Cup qualifying match at Harare Sports Club by 35 runs.

Zimbabwe, who have never come close to winning the trophy and failed to qualify for the 2019 edition, took an important step towards regaining their place on the global game's most important ODI stage.  

The result confirmed the home side's place in the Super Six. West Indies are also assured of staying in the running for one of the two berths in the July 9 final at HSC, as are the Netherlands. Both finalists will qualify for the World Cup in India in October and November.

Zimbabweans have beaten both of their fellow Super Sixers, which means they will take four points into that next stage of the qualifiers. Neither the Windies nor the Dutch currently have any points to bank for the next round. That will be the case until Monday, when they face off at Takashinga, also in Harare.

Zimbabwe's productive performance in the group stage means they would finish the Super Six with 10 points if they win all of their next three games. That would make them difficult to dislodge from the top of the standings, and with that a place in the final and a World Cup berth.

West Indies coach Darren Sammy admitted to being "extremely disappointed" by his team's effort - or lack thereof - on Saturday. He let loose at his press conference with what could be called a stream of unhappy consciousness, particularly about his charges' dismal showing in the field, where they dropped four catches.

"If we continue to display this type of fielding ... we've spoken about it for the last few games," Sammy said.

Bd-pratidin English/Golam Rosul