Mumbai, February 23, 2026 — West Indies delivered a dominant all-round performance to secure a comprehensive 107-run victory over Zimbabwe in their Super Eight encounter of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on Monday.
A blistering half-century by Shimron Hetmyer, followed by a superb four-wicket haul from Gudakesh Motie, powered the two-time champions to a commanding win in their Super Eight campaign opener.
Hetmyer, Powell Power West Indies to 254/6
Asked to bat first, West Indies posted a mammoth 254/6 in 20 overs, overcoming an early setback when opener Brandon King departed for nine in the third over.
Hetmyer then took control of the innings, stitching together a vital partnership with captain Shai Hope, who contributed a brisk 14 off 12 balls before falling to Brad Evans. The momentum continued as Rovman Powell joined Hetmyer, and the duo unleashed a brutal assault on the Zimbabwean bowling attack.
Their third-wicket stand of 122 runs off just 51 balls laid the foundation for a massive total. Hetmyer smashed a sensational 85 off 34 deliveries, decorated with seven sixes and seven fours, while Powell hammered 59 off 35 balls, including four sixes and four boundaries.
Late fireworks from Sherfane Rutherford (31 off 14)* and Romario Shepherd (21 off 10) propelled West Indies past the 250-run mark. For Zimbabwe, Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani claimed two wickets apiece.
Motie Leads Ruthless Bowling Display
Chasing a daunting 255-run target, Zimbabwe’s batting lineup crumbled under relentless pressure, getting bowled out for 147 in 17.4 overs.
All-rounder Brad Evans showed resistance with a counter-attacking 43 off 21 balls, while Dion Myers (28) and captain Sikandar Raza (27) offered brief support. However, none could convert their starts into substantial scores.
Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie starred with the ball, returning excellent figures of 4/28, while Akeal Hosein chipped in with 3 wickets. Matthew Forde supported the attack with 2 scalps, ensuring Zimbabwe never gained momentum.
Player of the Match: Shimron Hetmyer
For his match-defining innings, Shimron Hetmyer was adjudged Player of the Match, underlining his importance to the West Indies lineup.
Match Summary
• West Indies: 254/6 (20 overs)
• Zimbabwe: 147 all out (17.4 overs)
• Result: West Indies won by 107 runs
• Player of the Match: Shimron Hetmyer
The emphatic victory gives West Indies a strong start in the Super Eight stage, boosting their confidence as the tournament heads into its decisive phase.