West Indies Dominates Zimbabwe with 107-Run Victory in T20 World Cup 2026

West Indies Triumph Over Zimbabwe in T20 World Cup Clash

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 23: In a stunning display, the West Indies secured a decisive 107-run win against Zimbabwe during their opening Super 8 match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Monday.

Shimron Hetmyer was a standout performer, scoring 85 runs off just 34 balls, while Rovman Powell contributed significantly with 59 runs from 35 deliveries. Gudakesh Motie also made a mark with the ball, taking 4 wickets for 28 runs in 4 overs.

After Zimbabwe set a daunting target of 254/6, the second-highest score in T20 World Cup history, they faced an uphill battle. Tadiwanashe Marumani provided a quick start with 14 runs off 8 balls, but West Indies' Matthew Forde struck on the last ball of the second over, claiming the first wicket. Akeal Hosein quickly followed up with two wickets, dismissing Brian Bennett and Ryan Burl for a duck.

Dion Myers showed some promise with 28 runs off 15 balls, but the introduction of Gudakesh Motie turned the tide. His exceptional bowling included a remarkable delivery that dismissed Myers, marking the beginning of Zimbabwe's collapse.

Motie continued to wreak havoc, taking the wickets of captain Sikandar Raza and Tashinga Musekiwa in quick succession, leaving Zimbabwe reeling at 95/6. Despite a late effort from Brad Evans, who scored 43 runs off 21 balls, Zimbabwe was all out for 147 in 17.4 overs.

This victory places West Indies at the top of Super 8 Group 1 in the T20 World Cup 2026, boasting a Net Run Rate (NRR) of +5.350.

Earlier, West Indies had set a formidable total of 254/6, the second-highest in T20 World Cup history, only behind Sri Lanka's 260/6 against Kenya in 2007. This match also marked the highest T20I total against Zimbabwe, surpassing India's 234/2 in Harare in 2024. The West Indies hit 19 sixes, tying the record for the most in a T20 World Cup innings.

Despite a shaky start, losing opener Brandon King for just 9 runs, the West Indies recovered well. Hetmyer accelerated the innings, reaching his half-century in a record 19 balls, the fastest for the West Indies in T20 World Cup history.

After 10 overs, the West Indies were in a strong position at 115/2. However, Hetmyer was eventually dismissed for 85 runs, and Powell followed shortly after, leaving the team with a solid total to defend.