West Indies secured a commanding victory over Zimbabwe in their Super Eight match of the T20 World Cup, boosting their net run rate with a dominant all-round performance.
After Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza won the toss and chose to bowl at the Wankhede Stadium, West Indies produced their highest total at a men’s T20 World Cup.
West Indies amassed 254 for six, the second-highest total in the tournament’s history, striking 19 sixes to equal the record for most sixes in a men’s T20 World Cup innings.
Shimron Hetmyer led the charge with a blistering 85 from 34 balls, reaching a 19-ball half-century that matched the joint-fastest fifty of this edition.
Hetmyer targeted Raza’s spin aggressively, scoring 33 runs from nine deliveries, and survived two dropped catches by Tashinga Musekiwa during his explosive knock.
Rovman Powell supported him with 59 from 35 balls, smashing a 29-ball half-century, while late cameos from Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder lifted the total further.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers initially found movement under lights, with Richard Ngarava dismissing Brandon King for nine and Brad Evans removing Shai Hope during the powerplay.
Despite those setbacks, West Indies accelerated through the middle overs, scoring 139 for two, the second-most runs in that phase in men’s T20 World Cup history.
Zimbabwe’s fielding lapses, including multiple missed chances, proved costly as West Indies capitalised to post an imposing target on a red-soil surface offering bounce.
Chasing 255, Zimbabwe faltered early as Matthew Forde removed Tadiwanashe Marumani and Akeal Hosein struck twice to leave them 20 for three inside three overs.
Gudakesh Motie tightened the screws in the middle overs, dismissing Dion Myers, Raza and Tony Munyonga as the required rate climbed beyond 15 runs per over.
Zimbabwe slipped to 101 for seven in the 13th over, with Musekiwa dismissed for a duck after earlier dropping two catches in the field.
Motie’s disciplined spell ensured there was no recovery, while Forde returned to end Ryan Burl’s resistance and complete a comprehensive victory.
West Indies, who also welcomed back Shepherd from injury, maintained their unbeaten run and strengthened their position ahead of matches against India and South Africa.
Zimbabwe, playing West Indies for only the fifth time in T20 internationals, were left with a heavy defeat after entering the Super Eight stage unbeaten.