West Indies delivered a statement performance at the Wankhede Stadium, overpowering Zimbabwe by 107 runs after piling up 254 for 6 in a T20 World Cup clash that underlined their batting firepower.
The Caribbean side’s total, one of the highest in men’s T20 World Cup history, was powered by Shimron Hetmyer’s explosive 85 and Rovman Powell’s 59. The innings featured 19 sixes, matching the most hit by a team in a single World Cup match.
Zimbabwe made early breakthroughs through Richard Ngarava and Craig Evans, reducing West Indies to two down inside the powerplay. But Hetmyer turned the tide decisively. Promoted to No. 3, he tore into Zimbabwe’s spinners, striking a 19-ball half-century and launching seven sixes, most of them against spin. Dropped twice, he capitalised fully before eventually falling for 85.
Powell initially took time to settle but shifted gears dramatically, reaching his fifty in 29 balls and sending one towering hit 106 metres into the stands. Cameos from Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder ensured the total surged past 250.
Zimbabwe’s chase unravelled quickly. Reduced to three down within the first three overs, they never recovered. Gudakesh Motie produced a decisive spell of 4 for 28, dismantling the middle order, while Akeal Hosein claimed 3 for 28 with probing spin.
Craig Evans’ 43 offered brief resistance, but Zimbabwe were bowled out for 147 in the 18th over, handing West Indies one of their biggest wins in terms of margin in T20 internationals.
The result sends a clear signal to other contenders as West Indies move deeper into the tournament with renewed momentum. [KNT]
