Mumbai, 24 February (Sports Desk)
In a one-sided encounter in their Super Eight Group 1 match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. West Indies outclassed Zimbabwe by 107 runs to start their campaign on a high note. This victory propelled West Indies to the top of Group 1 with a superior net run rate, sending a strong message in a competitive group including India and South Africa.
Key Match Details:
- Toss: West Indies won the toss and elected to bat first.
- West Indies Innings: 254/6 in 20 overs
- Shimron Hetmyer unleashed a ferocious innings of 85 off 34 balls (6 fours, 7 sixes, strike rate 250.00) – including the fastest fifty by a West Indian in men’s T20 World Cups (19 balls) – powering the team to the second-highest total in T20 World Cup history (behind Australia’s 260/6 vs Afghanistan in 2024).
- Rovman Powell (captain) smashed 59 off 35 balls (4 fours, 4 sixes).
- The team hit a record 19 sixes in the innings, the most by any team in a men’s T20 World Cup match.
- Zimbabwe’s bowlers toiled: Blessing Muzarabani took 2/42, but fielding lapses (including two drops of Hetmyer) cost them dearly.
- Zimbabwe Innings: 147 all out in 17.4 overs (target 255)
- Zimbabwe’s chase faltered early, collapsing under West Indies’ spin trap.
- Craig Ervine top-scored with 43 off 32 balls, while Sikandar Raza made 28.
- West Indies’ bowlers were ruthless: Gudakesh Motie claimed 4/28, Akeal Hosein took 3/28, and Romario Shepherd finished with 2/25.
- The spinners accounted for 7 wickets, showcasing West Indies’ depth.
watch…..Champion India A Seal 46-Run Win in Final – Tejal Hasabnis Player of the Match
-
Player of the Match: Shimron Hetmyer – for his rampaging 85 off 34 balls that set up West Indies’ mammoth total and sealed the dominant win. In his post-match comments, Hetmyer said: “I’m trying to replicate the things I’ve been doing for the last month and so far it’s been working. The win means a lot, more so because I didn’t get that much in the last game.”
This emphatic 107-run margin is West Indies’ second-largest win by runs in men’s T20Is (behind 134 vs Uganda in 2024) and Zimbabwe’s biggest defeat in the format. West Indies’ batting fireworks (19 sixes) and spin dominance highlighted their all-round strength. Zimbabwe now face an uphill battle in the group. Congratulations to the Windies on a stellar start! 🇼🇮🏏
