Zimbabwe have won a thrilling one-day international against the Netherlands by a single run, scrambling a run out off the last ball of the game as they levelled the series 1-1.
Zimbabwe spinner Wessly Madhevere changed the direction of the game in the 44th over, taking a hat trick as the Netherlands ended agonisingly short, finishing on 270 all out as they chased 272 to win.
The teams produced another grandstand finish at Harare Sports Club on Thursday, following the Netherlands' victory on the penultimate ball in the first ODI on Tuesday.
This time, the Dutch could not quite chase down their target - although they went close despite needing 19 off the last over while nine wickets down.
No.10 Ryan Klein started the last over off by hitting a four, before he and No.11 Fred Klaassen scrambled a two, a single and another two off the next three balls.
Klaasen then launched a six off the fifth ball, leaving the Netherlands needing a four off the last ball to win, or three to tie.
Klaasen was run out going for a third off the final delivery as Brad Evans got the ball to Tendai Chatara at the bowler's end in time to whip off the bails allowing Zimbabwe to scrape home and take the series to a decisive third and final game on Saturday.
Madhevere's hat trick came in the 44th over as he had Colin Ackermann (28) stumped off the first ball of the over and then bowled Teja Nidamanuru and Paul van Meekeren for first-ball ducks.
Nidamanuru and Van Meekeren were the players who clinched the Netherlands' last-over victory in the opening game.
Madhevere's hat trick was the 50th in ODIs and the third by a Zimbabwean.
Opener Max O'Dowd made 81 for the Dutch, but Zimbabwe managed to hold them off thanks in no small part to Madhevere (3-36) and Sikandar Raza (3-39).
Sean Williams' 77 and a second straight half-century by wicketkeeper Clive Madande (52) helped take Zimbabwe to 271 all out in 49.2 overs batting first.
Australian Associated Press
