West Indies Triumph Over Zimbabwe in T20 World Cup Opener
West Indies Dominates Zimbabwe in T20 World Cup Match
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 23: Shai Hope, the captain of the West Indies, expressed his delight in witnessing his team's batting performance 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 the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Monday.
Shimron Hetmyer was a standout performer, scoring 85 runs off just 34 deliveries, while Rovman Powell contributed significantly with 59 runs from 35 balls. Gudakesh Motie also made a mark with the ball, taking 4 wickets for 28 runs in 4 overs.
Post-match, Hope commended Powell for his crucial runs and acknowledged that he was surprised by the pitch's spin. He praised the bowlers for effectively utilizing the conditions, particularly highlighting Motie's return to form after a break, which allowed him to enhance his wrist spin.
“It was a joy to watch. Rovman also added to his run tally, which was great. I didn’t expect the pitch to spin as much as it did, especially with the leg spinner in the first innings. The way it spun was impressive. Regarding Motie, we often overlook how beneficial time away from the game can be. He has returned stronger and is contributing positively with his wrist spin,” said Hope during the post-match presentation.
On the other hand, Zimbabwe's captain Sikandar Raza stated that his team would not make excuses regarding the 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 emphasized that Zimbabwe aims to rebound in their next match against India, focusing on pride and respect.
“If we dwell on changes in venues or countries, we won’t learn anything. It’s crucial to learn from this game. We must win in every country and venue if we want to progress. We thought the pitch would remain consistent, but it started to turn. Motie’s spell was game-changing. However, at this ground, you are never out of the game. Despite the setbacks, we will strive to win and earn respect,” Raza remarked after the match.
With this victory, the West Indies ascended to the top of Group 1, boasting a robust net run rate of +5.350.
Batting first, the West Indies amassed an impressive total of 254/6, marking the second-highest score in T20 World Cup history. Hetmyer’s innings included a tournament-record fifty off just 19 balls, while Powell's contribution was equally significant. Late innings from Jason Holder and Sherfane Rutherford propelled the total beyond 250.
In response, Zimbabwe struggled despite a brief fightback from Brad Evans, who scored 43 runs off 21 balls. Gudakesh Motie excelled with the ball, taking 4 wickets for 28 runs, dismantling Zimbabwe's middle order, while Akeal Hosein and the pace bowlers kept the pressure on, leading to Zimbabwe's collapse at 147 runs in 17.4 overs.