Monday 23 / February / 2026
Mumbai: Zimbabwe's dream run at ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 turned nightmarish on Monday, as West Indies took apart their bowlers in their Super Eight game at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Riding on incredible half-centuries by Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell, the Caribbean team posted a total of 254/6, the highest team tally at this World Cup and the second highest in T20 World Cup history.
Chasing a mammoth total, Zimbabwe crumbled to 147 to hand West Indies a 107-run win. It was another comprehensive performance from the former champions, who are growing in stature and confidence with every victory.
They have now won five out of five matches and have launched the Super Eight phase in style.
Zimbabwe had arrived at this Super Eight clash, their first ever, on the back of a promising performance in the first phase. The African team defeated Australia and Sri Lanka in the group stage and were unbeaten in their first four matches.
Electing to field first, Zimbabwe restricted West Indies to 55/2 in powerplay, they couldn't keep a lid on the power-packed batting line-up for too long.
Hetmyer, who was given two lives, including one when was only on nine, made Zimbabwe pay dearly. He brought up his 50 with a six off captain Sikandar Raza. The 19-ball half-century was the fastest by a West Indian batter in T20 World Cups and the joint fastest of this edition.
A fiery knock of 85, off 34 balls and studded with seven fours and seven sixes, finally ended with Brian Bennett holding on to the catch on the boundary off Graeme Cremer.
After a steady start, Rovman Powell (59) also shifted into high gear, scoring his 50 in 29 balls. The power-packed West Indies breezed past milestones - Powell-Hetmyer brought up the joint fastest 100-run partnership in this World Cup and the team crossed the 150-mark inside 13 overs.
The West Indies blitz continued even after Hetmyer and Powell were sent back. They hit a total of 19 sixes and 16 fours to bring up the first 250 of this World Cup.
If Zimbabwe were going to complete the record chase, they needed a perfect start. But the scoreboard pressure was evident as they slipped to 20/3 inside the first three overs.
Matthew Forde provided the breakthrough with the wicket of Tadiwanashe Marumani, while Akeal Hosein knocked the top of off stump to dismiss Brian Bennett on the very next ball. It was the first time in this tournament that Bennett was out.
Dion Myers (28) and Sikandar Raza (27) tried to give the Zimbabwe innings some momentum but did stay long enough to make a meaningful impact. It was the last-wicket partnership that helped the African team make some ground. Even with his team in dire trouble, Brad Evans didn't pull back the punches. He slammed five sixes and two fours on the way to a 21-ball 43.
The 44-run stand between Evans and Richard Ngarava wasn't just the highest for Zimbabwe on the day, it was the highest 10th-wicket partnership in T20 World Cups.
Zimbabwe struggled especially against West Indian left-arm spinners Hosein and Gudakesh Motie. While Motie claimed 4/28, Hosien finished with 3/28.
Brief scores: West Indies 254/6 (Shimron Hetmyer 85, Rovman Powell 59, Sherfane Rutherford 31; Richard Ngarava 2/47, Blessing Muzarabani 2/42) beat Zimbabwe 147 in 17.4 overs (Dion Myers 28, Brad Evans 43; Akeal Hosein 3/28, Gudakesh Motie 4/28, Matthew Forde 2/27).
