The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 stage saw West Indies defeat Zimbabwe by 107 runs in Match 44 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 23. West Indies smashed a massive 254/6 in their 20 overs. Shimron Hetmyer played an explosive knock of 85 off just 34 balls and earned the Player of the Match award.
Zimbabwe never stood a chance chasing 255. They lost 3 wickets in the powerplay and were bowled out for 147 in 17.4 overs. Gudakesh Motie grabbed 4 wickets while Akeal Hosein took 3. This was a complete demolition by the Caribbean side.
Match Summary: WI vs ZIM
Here is the complete match summary of this Super 8 Group 1 encounter:
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| West Indies Score | 254/6 (20 overs) |
| Zimbabwe Score | 147 all out (17.4 overs) |
| Match Result | West Indies won by 107 runs |
| Best Batting (WI) | Shimron Hetmyer – 85 off 34 balls (7 fours, 7 sixes) |
| Best Batting (ZIM) | Brad Evans – 43 off 21 balls (2 fours, 5 sixes) |
| Best Bowling (WI) | Gudakesh Motie – 4/28 in 4 overs (Econ: 7.00) |
| Best Bowling (ZIM) | Richard Ngarava – 2/47 in 4 overs (Econ: 11.75) |
| Player of the Match | Shimron Hetmyer (WI) |
West Indies Innings: 254/6 in 20 Overs
West Indies started strong in the powerplay with 55 runs for 2 wickets. Brandon King fell for 9, and captain Shai Hope made 14. But Shimron Hetmyer walked in and changed the game completely. He smashed his fifty off just 19 balls with 4 fours and 5 sixes.
Hetmyer and Rovman Powell put on a 122-run stand for the third wicket in just 45 balls. Powell reached his fifty off 29 balls with 4 fours and 3 sixes. West Indies crossed 100 in just 9.1 overs and 150 in 12.6 overs. The carnage continued as they hit 200 in the 17th over.
Hetmyer fell for 85 off 34 balls at a strike rate of 250. Sherfane Rutherford smashed 31 off 13 balls, and Romario Shepherd added 21 off 10. Jason Holder hit 13 off just 4 balls with 2 sixes. West Indies finished with a mammoth 254/6 at a run rate of 12.70. Zimbabwe’s bowlers had no answers as they conceded 21 extras, including 10 wides.
Zimbabwe Chase: 147 All Out in 17.4 Overs
Zimbabwe’s chase was over before it even started. They needed 255 to win and lost 3 wickets in the powerplay. Tadiwanashe Marumani made 14 off 8 balls before Matthew Forde got him. Brian Bennett fell for 5, and Ryan Burl was out for a duck. The powerplay ended with Zimbabwe at 47/3.
Dion Myers tried to counter-attack with 28 off 15 balls. Captain Sikandar Raza added 27 off 20, but wickets kept tumbling. Gudakesh Motie ripped through the middle order with 4 wickets. Zimbabwe reached 100 in the 12th over but were soon 102/8.
Brad Evans provided some late resistance with 43 off 21 balls. He smashed 5 sixes but ran out of partners. Akeal Hosein grabbed 3 wickets, and Matthew Forde took 2. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 147 in 17.4 overs, losing by a massive 107 runs.
Key Highlight: Player of the Match – Shimron Hetmyer Explodes
The West Indian left-hander played one of the greatest T20 World Cup knocks:
With the bat: 85 off 34 balls (7 fours, 7 sixes)
Strike rate: 250.00
Fifty reached: 19 balls
Hetmyer walked in at 54/2 and took the Zimbabwe bowlers apart. His partnership with Powell produced 122 runs in just 45 balls. He hit the ball to all parts of the ground and set up a total that was always out of Zimbabwe’s reach. This was a statement performance from West Indies in the Super 8 stage.
