West Indies Triumph Over Zimbabwe in T20 World Cup Opener

West Indies Captain Praises Team Performance

Shai Hope, the captain of the West Indies, expressed his delight in witnessing his team's batting display after they secured a commanding 107-run victory against Zimbabwe in their inaugural Super 8 match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, held at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on Monday. Key contributions came from Shimron Hetmyer, who scored 85 runs off 34 balls, and Rovman Powell, who added 59 runs off 35 balls. Gudakesh Motie also made a significant impact with the ball, taking 4 wickets for 28 runs in 4 overs. Following the match, Hope commended Powell for his crucial runs and acknowledged the unexpected spin on the pitch, which the bowlers effectively utilized. He emphasized Motie's return to form, attributing it to his time away from the game, which allowed him to enhance his wrist spin skills. Hope stated, "It was a joy to watch. Rovman also added to his run tally. So was great. I didn't think it would spin as much as it did today, especially when the leggie bowled in the first innings. The way it was spinning was good to see. We tend to neglect how important time away from the game is. He has used the time away from the game well and has brought something beneficial for us with the wrist spin. Great to see him contributing. You always want to improve, get better, look better. Not too concerned about King. He's batting well and I am confident about his ability."

Zimbabwe's Captain Reflects on the Loss

Sikandar Raza, the captain of Zimbabwe, stated that his team would not make excuses regarding the playing conditions or venue. He mentioned that while they anticipated a good batting pitch, it began to turn, and Motie's performance was pivotal. Looking forward, Raza expressed that Zimbabwe aims to rebound in their next match against the Indian national cricket team, focusing on pride and respect. He remarked, "If we think about changes in venues or countries, we will not learn anything. It is crucial for me to learn from this game. We don't want to look for excuses. To progress, we must win in every country and venue. We thought the pitch would remain true, but it started to turn. However, it was a valuable learning experience. There was a moment when Tony and I believed that even if the run rate reached 18, we could still achieve it. Motie's spell changed the game. At this ground, you are never out of the game. Despite the bruises, we will strive to win and earn respect. Both teams have faced losses, and we will aim to perform better."

Match Highlights: West Indies Sets Record

With this 107-run victory, the West Indies ascended to the top of Group 1, boasting a robust net run rate of +5.350. Batting first, they amassed an impressive total of 254/6, marking the second-highest score in T20 World Cup history. Hetmyer’s explosive innings included a tournament-record 19-ball fifty, while Powell contributed significantly with his 59 runs. Late innings performances from Jason Holder and Sherfane Rutherford propelled the total beyond 250. In response, Zimbabwe struggled despite a brief resistance from Brad Evans, who scored 43 runs off 21 balls. Gudakesh Motie excelled with the ball, taking 4 wickets for 28 runs, dismantling the middle order, while Akeal Hosein and the pace attack kept the pressure on, leading to Zimbabwe being bowled out for 147 in just 17.4 overs.