Mumbai, Feb 23: West Indies produced a power-hitting masterclass at the Wankhede Stadium, hammering Zimbabwe by 107 runs in their ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Super Eight clash on Monday (February 23) to extend their unbeaten run at the venue to five matches.
Riding on Shimron Hetmyer's record-breaking assault and a ruthless spin choke in the chase, the Caribbean side piled up 254 for 6 before bowling Zimbabwe out for 147 in 17.4 overs, registering their second-biggest T20I win by runs.
The victory also marked West Indies' fifth consecutive win in the tournament - their longest winning streak in Men's T20 World Cup history - and propelled them to the top of Group 1 with a significant net run rate boost.
Hetmyer-Powell Partnership Turns the Game
Sent in to bat by Sikandar Raza, West Indies made a cautious start, reaching 55 for 2 in the Powerplay. The innings transformed dramatically after Shimron Hetmyer was dropped on nine. The left-hander responded with one of the most explosive knocks in tournament history, racing to a 19-ball half-century, the fastest ever by a West Indies batter in a T20 World Cup.
Hetmyer's 85 off 34 balls, studded with seven fours and seven sixes, dismantled Zimbabwe's attack and shifted momentum irreversibly. He found a destructive ally in Rovman Powell, who struck 59 off 29 balls, as the pair added 122 runs in just 52 balls. Their calculated brutality ensured West Indies surged from a steady platform to a mammoth total.
Despite picking up two wickets each, Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani struggled to contain the onslaught on a batting-friendly surface. West Indies smashed 19 sixes, contributing to a record 31 sixes in the match, the most ever in a T20 World Cup game.
Spin Web Destroys Zimbabwe's Chase
Chasing an imposing 255, Zimbabwe's innings unraveled inside the first three overs as they slumped to 20 for 3, with the scoreboard pressure dictating terms. West Indies' left-arm spin duo of Gudakesh Motie and Akeal Hosein then took control, exploiting the conditions with precision.
Motie delivered a career-best 4 for 28, dismantling the middle order, while Hosein's 3 for 28 ensured there was no recovery. The Chevrons never found a foothold, losing wickets at regular intervals as the required rate soared beyond reach.
Brad Evans provided late resistance with a spirited 43 off 21 balls, helping Zimbabwe cross the 100-run mark and adding to the six-hitting spectacle, but the outcome was never in doubt. Matthew Forde eventually dismissed Evans to seal Zimbabwe's biggest defeat by runs in T20Is.
Records Tumble at Wankhede
The match produced a flurry of milestones:
- West Indies' 254 for 6 is the second-highest team total in T20 World Cup history.
- The 31 sixes in the game set a new tournament record.
- This was West Indies' second-biggest T20I win by runs and all their top five biggest victories have come in T20 World Cups.
- Zimbabwe suffered their heaviest defeat by runs in T20Is.
- West Indies extended their unbeaten Wankhede record to five matches.
Hetmyer's Clarity Key to Success
Player of the Match Hetmyer credited mental simplicity for his form, highlighting how clarity in role at number three and team backing has helped him play with freedom. His approach of "not overthinking" and reacting to the ball rather than premeditating shots has been central to his resurgence and to West Indies' aggressive batting template.
What It Means for the Super Eight
The emphatic margin has given West Indies a crucial net run rate advantage and strengthened their semi-final push. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, face an uphill task after back-to-back setbacks, with qualification now dependent on other results. Windies' big win and a very healthy net run rate also puts defending champions India under pressure now. Suryakumar Yadav's men will have to win their remaining two games (against WI & Zimbabwe) and hope South Africa - who thrashed them on Sunday - remain unbeaten now.
For West Indies, this was more than a win - it was a statement i.e. the Men in Maroon are ready for their third T20 WC glory. On a ground that has become their fortress, they combined brute power with disciplined spin to underline their credentials as one of the most dangerous sides in the tournament.
