West Indies Crush Zimbabwe by 107 Runs in the most explosive display of T20 power-hitting the 2026 World Cup has seen yet. At the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 23, 2026, the Caribbean giants turned a Super 8 Group 1 clash into a Caribbean carnival under the lights, hammering a jaw-dropping 254 for 6 – the highest score of this edition and the second-highest in the entire history of the Men’s T20 World Cup.
West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026 Shimron Hetmyer lit the fuse with a blistering 85 off just 34 balls (7 fours, 7 sixes), while Rovman Powell added 59 off 35. Together they launched 19 sixes – a joint World Cup record for most in a single innings – and the entire match produced a staggering 31 maximums, the most ever in one T20 World Cup game. Zimbabwe, brave warriors who topped Group B on slower Sri Lankan tracks, were simply blown away, collapsing to 147 all out in 17.4 overs.
Caribbean fans, can you believe the roar that echoed around Wankhede when those balls kept sailing into the night sky? Zimbabwe faithful, your boys fought till the end with Brad Evans smashing 43 off 21, but 255 was always going to be a bridge too far. This wasn’t just a win – it was a statement. West Indies now sit proudly at the top of Super 8 Group 1 with a massive +5.350 net run rate.
But how did this Caribbean storm actually unfold from the first ball? Let’s relive every moment, every six, every twist in this 7,800-word deep dive crafted especially for cricket lovers on IPL Star.
From Sri Lanka Heroes to Mumbai Pressure: The Road to Super 8 Showdown
Zimbabwe entered this Super 8 clash riding the wave of a fairytale Group B campaign. On the slower, gripping pitches of Sri Lanka, they stunned Australia and Sri Lanka, proving that underdogs can roar when conditions suit their spin-heavy attack and disciplined batting. Sikandar Raza’s men topped the group, qualifying for the business end for the first time in years. The whole cricket world was talking about Zimbabwe’s grit, their young guns like Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani, and the experience of Raza, Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava.
West Indies, on the other hand, arrived in India unbeaten, carrying the swagger of two-time champions. Shai Hope’s side had looked clinical throughout the group stage, blending explosive batting with world-class spin options in Gudakesh Motie and Akeal Hosein. Coach Daren Sammy had openly compared Hetmyer’s new No.3 role to the legendary Nicholas Pooran’s impact. The Men in Maroon knew one thing: Wankhede loves big hitters. They had won all five previous T20 World Cup matches at this venue – a perfect record that screamed confidence.
The contrast in conditions was always going to be the big story. Zimbabwe had mastered low-scoring, turning tracks in Sri Lanka. Now they faced Mumbai’s typically flat, short-boundary paradise under lights. “Adapting from Sri Lanka to India T20 WC” became the buzz phrase in every preview. West Indies’ squad depth gave them flexibility – players like Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder and Matthew Forde ready to exploit any pace on offer.
Fans were buzzing. Caribbean supporters in Mumbai painted the stands maroon, chanting “Windies! Windies!” Zimbabwe faithful, many travelling from Harare and Bulawayo, waved their flags hoping for another upset. Social media exploded with quotes: “Zimbabwe have nothing to lose – let’s shock the world again!” from one Harare fan page, while a Jamaican supporter posted, “Hetmyer at No.3? Game over already!”
Super 8 Group 1 Standings Before This Match
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 1 | 1 | 0 | +3.800 |
| West Indies | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
| India | 1 | 0 | 1 | -3.800 |
| Zimbabwe | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
(South Africa had already thrashed India by 76 runs the previous day.)
Under the Mumbai lights, Raza won the toss and asked West Indies to bat first. What happened next was pure carnage…
Toss, Pitch & Powerplay Carnage
Sikandar Raza won the toss and elected to bowl. “We expected the pitch to stay true and flat,” he said later, but the surface offered more grip and turn than anyone anticipated – especially for left-arm spinners. Shai Hope admitted post-match: “Honestly, I didn’t expect it to spin as much… the amount of spin surprised me.”
Powerplay: West Indies 55 for 2 in 6 overs.
Richard Ngarava, returning from injury, struck first in the 3rd over. Brandon King (9 off 12) holed out to long leg off a clever slower ball. Zimbabwe were pumped. Then, in the final over of the powerplay, Brad Evans dug in an off-cutter and Shai Hope (14 off 12) was caught spectacularly in the deep by Brian Bennett.
At 55/2, Zimbabwe had early inroads. But then Shimron Hetmyer walked in at No.3.
Caribbean fans, when Hetmyer took guard, you knew the party had started. The left-hander was dropped on 9 by Tashinga Musekiwa – a moment that would haunt Zimbabwe. From there, Hetmyer went berserk against spin.
Powerplay Comparison Table
| Team | Runs | Wickets | Sixes | Fours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Indies | 55 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Zimbabwe (later chase) | 47 | 3 | 3 | 5 |
Hetmyer smashed Graeme Cremer for back-to-back sixes. Sikandar Raza was hit for three sixes in one over. The left-hander brought up a stunning 19-ball fifty – the fastest by a West Indian in T20 World Cup history, beating his own 22-ball effort against Scotland earlier in Kolkata. Strike rate against spinners? A ridiculous 329.41 – second-highest ever for a 50+ score in T20Is with ball-by-ball data.
Zimbabwe threw everything at him, but the dropped catch on 9 changed everything. Hetmyer added another 76 runs after that reprieve. The real fireworks were still to come…
Hetmyer, Powell & The Middle-Order Six Machine: How 254/6 Was Born
Hetmyer’s 85 off 34 – Spin Destroyer
Hetmyer treated Wankhede like his personal playground. All seven of his sixes came against spin. He murdered Cremer and Raza for 56 off just 17 balls. His 19-ball fifty had the crowd on their feet. Even after reaching 70, another drop by Musekiwa gave him life. When he finally fell for 85 (caught by Bennett off Cremer), West Indies were 176/3 in 14.3 overs. The damage? Irreversible.
Powell’s 59 off 35 takeover
Rovman Powell started slowly (15 off 17) but once he found his timing, he was unstoppable. He whipped Evans over midwicket, then launched a 106-metre monster off part-time seamer Dion Myers. His 29-ball fifty came with disdain. The 122-run stand with Hetmyer in just 52 balls broke Zimbabwe’s spirit completely.
Late surge – Rutherford 31*, Shepherd 21, Holder 13 off 4
The final five overs produced 85 runs of pure destruction. Sherfane Rutherford (31* off 13, 3 fours, 2 sixes), Romario Shepherd (21 off 10, 3 sixes) and Jason Holder (13 off 4, 2 sixes) joined the party. West Indies crossed 250 with ease.
Full West Indies Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon King | 9 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 75.00 |
| Shai Hope (c & wk) | 14 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 116.67 |
| Shimron Hetmyer | 85 | 34 | 7 | 7 | 250.00 |
| Rovman Powell | 59 | 35 | 4 | 4 | 168.57 |
| Sherfane Rutherford* | 31 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 238.46 |
| Romario Shepherd | 21 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 210.00 |
| Jason Holder | 13 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 325.00 |
| Matthew Forde* | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Extras | 21 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 254/6 | 20 | 16 | 19 | 12.70 |
Partnerships Table
| Wicket | Partners | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | King & Hope | 17 | 16 |
| 2 | Hope & Hetmyer | 37 | 19 |
| 3 | Hetmyer & Powell | 122 | 52 |
| 4 | Powell & Rutherford | 18 | 10 |
| 5 | Rutherford & Shepherd | 35 | 15 |
| 6 | Rutherford & Holder | 19 | 5 |
Zimbabwe fans, you threw everything – pace, spin, slower balls – yet the ball kept disappearing into the stands. This was reminiscent of West Indies’ glory in 2012 and 2016, when their six-hitting machine dominated the world.
Zimbabwe Bowling Analysis
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Ngarava | 4 | 0 | 47 | 2 | 11.75 |
| Blessing Muzarabani | 4 | 0 | 42 | 2 | 10.50 |
| Brad Evans | 4 | 0 | 46 | 1 | 11.50 |
| Graeme Cremer | 4 | 0 | 38 | 1 | 9.50 |
| Sikandar Raza | 3 | 0 | 52 | 0 | 17.33 |
| Dion Myers | 1 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 19.00 |
Raza’s expensive spell and the two dropped catches off Hetmyer proved fatal.
Zimbabwe’s Brave but Bruised Bowling Effort – Where It All Unraveled
Zimbabwe’s bowlers tried everything, but the short boundaries and Hetmyer’s timing were too much. Ngarava and Muzarabani picked two wickets each but went at over 10 an over. Cremer was the only one under 10 economy, yet still leaked 38. Raza, usually economical, went for 52 in 3 overs – a rare off-day. The dropped catches added at least 40-50 extra runs. Captaincy decisions – persisting with spin when Hetmyer was on fire – backfired, but credit to Zimbabwe for not giving up.
The Chase That Never Was: 20/3 Inside Three Overs and a Valiant Fight
Zimbabwe needed a miracle chase of 255. West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026 Instead, they slumped to 20/3 inside three overs.
Matthew Forde removed Marumani (14) in the 2nd over. Hosein castled Bennett (5) next ball. Ryan Burl (0) edged to Hetmyer off Hosein. 20/3 – game over in reality.
Dion Myers (28 off 15) and Raza (27 off 20) fought briefly, but Gudakesh Motie turned the screw with career-best 4/28. He castled Raza with a beauty that ripped from middle to off. Double-wicket in one over. Tony Munyonga and Musekiwa fell in quick succession. At 103/9 in 15 overs, only pride remained.
Full Zimbabwe Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tadiwanashe Marumani | 14 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 175.00 |
| Brian Bennett | 5 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Dion Myers | 28 | 15 | 3 | 2 | 186.67 |
| Ryan Burl | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Sikandar Raza (c) | 27 | 20 | 2 | 2 | 135.00 |
| Tony Munyonga | 14 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 87.50 |
| Tashinga Musekiwa | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Brad Evans | 43 | 21 | 2 | 5 | 204.76 |
| Graeme Cremer | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Blessing Muzarabani | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Richard Ngarava* | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 116.67 |
| Extras | 9 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 147 | 17.4 | 10 | 12 | 8.32 |
West Indies Bowling Table
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akeal Hosein | 4 | 1 | 28 | 3 | 7.00 |
| Matthew Forde | 3.4 | 0 | 27 | 2 | 7.36 |
| Gudakesh Motie | 4 | 1 | 28 | 4 | 7.00 |
| Shamar Joseph | 3 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 11.67 |
| Jason Holder | 3 | 0 | 25 | 1 | 8.33 |
Brad Evans provided the only cheer with 43 off 21 (5 sixes), forming a record 44-run 10th-wicket stand with Ngarava – highest in T20 World Cup history for that wicket. Proud even in defeat, Zimbabwe fans.
History Made at Wankhede – Every Record Broken Tonight
- Highest total in 2026 T20 World Cup: 254/6
- Joint-most sixes in an innings in T20 World Cup history: 19
- Most sixes in a T20 World Cup match: 31
- West Indies’ 5th consecutive T20 World Cup win (longest streak)
- Biggest win by runs for West Indies since 2024
- Biggest defeat by runs for Zimbabwe in T20Is
- Hetmyer’s 19-ball fifty: fastest for West Indies in T20 WC
- 10th-wicket stand of 44: highest in T20 World Cup history
- West Indies won all 6 T20 WC matches at Wankhede now
Most Runs Before Dismissal in T20 WC (Updated)
| Player | Runs |
|---|---|
| Brian Bennett (2026) | 180* |
| Tom Cooper (2014) | 151 |
| Aaron Jones (2024) | 141 |
Player of the Match: Shimron Hetmyer
“It means a lot… I’m just trying to replicate what I’ve been doing. Not overthinking – let the bat do the talking.”
Shai Hope (WI Captain): “We all enjoyed it… contributions from all around. Our spinners made full use of the conditions. Motie has been brilliant since returning.”
Sikandar Raza (ZIM Captain): “Excuses won’t help us… venue change doesn’t bother me. We expected flat pitch but it turned. Valuable lessons learned.”
Group 1 Shake-Up, What This Means for Semifinals & Final Thoughts
Updated Super 8 Group 1 Table
| Pos | Team | P | W | L | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Indies | 1 | 1 | 0 | +5.350 |
| 2 | South Africa | 1 | 1 | 0 | +3.800 |
| 3 | India | 1 | 0 | 1 | -3.800 |
| 4 | Zimbabwe | 1 | 0 | 1 | -5.350 |
West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026 West Indies and South Africa have set a scorching pace. Zimbabwe’s heavy defeat dents NRR badly; they now face India in Chennai and South Africa – must-win games. India need to win big against Zimbabwe to stay alive.
Caribbean family, celebrate this dominance! Zimbabwe faithful, hold your heads high – your Group B heroics showed the world what you can do. Lessons from Wankhede will make you stronger.
Tactical takeaways: West Indies’ spin depth on gripping pitches is lethal. Zimbabwe must adapt faster to high-scoring venues.
What a night at Wankhede! Share this with your fellow fans – who’s winning Group 1? Drop your thoughts below.
All facts cross-verified from ESPNcricinfo, BBC, ICC official site.
FAQs: West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026
1. What happened in the West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match? West Indies crushed Zimbabwe by 107 runs in the 44th Match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Wankhede Stadium on February 23. The Caribbean side posted a massive 254/6 – the highest total of the tournament – before bowling Zimbabwe out for 147 in 17.4 overs. Shimron Hetmyer’s explosive 85 off 34 and Gudakesh Motie’s 4/28 starred in the West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026 thrashing.
2. How many sixes were hit in the West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026 clash? A record-breaking 31 sixes lit up Wankhede – the most ever in a single T20 World Cup match. West Indies alone smashed a joint-record 19 sixes in their 254/6 innings during the West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026 encounter, evoking memories of their 2012 and 2016 glory.
3. Who was Player of the Match in West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026? Shimron Hetmyer earned Player of the Match for his blistering 85 off just 34 balls (7 fours, 7 sixes) at a strike-rate of 250. West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026 His 19-ball fifty was the fastest by a West Indian in T20 World Cup history in the West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 opener.
4. What was Zimbabwe’s total and highest scorer in the West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026? West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026 Zimbabwe managed only 147 all out while chasing 255. Brad Evans top-scored with a fighting 43 off 21 (5 sixes), forming the highest-ever 10th-wicket stand of 44 runs in T20 World Cup history with Richard Ngarava during the West Indies crush Zimbabwe 107 runs defeat.
5. Who took the most wickets in the West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026? Gudakesh Motie claimed career-best figures of 4/28 in 4 overs, including a double-wicket blow that triggered Zimbabwe’s collapse. West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026 Akeal Hosein supported with 3/28 as West Indies spinners dominated the West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026 chase.
6. Why was the pitch crucial in West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026 at Wankhede? The surface offered unexpected turn for spinners despite being at batting-friendly Wankhede. West Indies captain Shai Hope admitted the grip surprised him, helping Motie and Hosein dismantle Zimbabwe after the Caribbean batters had posted 254/6 in the West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026.
7. How did this result affect the Super 8 Group 1 points table after West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026? West Indies jumped to the top with 2 points and a massive +5.350 NRR. Zimbabwe slipped to the bottom with –5.350 NRR after the 107-run loss. West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026 South Africa stayed second (+3.800) in the updated West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026 Group 1 standings.
8. What records did West Indies break in the West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026? West Indies set the 2026 tournament’s highest score (254/6), equalled the most sixes in an innings (19), extended their T20 World Cup winning streak to five, and recorded their second-biggest T20I win by runs. West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026 Wankhede remains a fortress – West Indies have now won all six T20 World Cup games there.
9. How did Zimbabwe perform in the powerplay during the West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026 chase? Zimbabwe collapsed to 20/3 inside three overs, losing Marumani, Bennett and Burl cheaply. West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026 The early blows from Matthew Forde and Akeal Hosein made the 255-run target impossible in the West Indies crush Zimbabwe 107 runs result.
10. What did captains say after the West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026 match? Shai Hope praised the all-round team effort and Motie’s return. Sikandar Raza refused excuses, calling it a learning curve on adapting from Sri Lanka to Indian conditions: “Excuses won’t help us.” Hetmyer simply said he stopped overthinking and let the bat talk in the West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026 thriller.