NEW DELHI: A dominant West Indies thrashed Zimbabwe by 107 runs in a one-sided T20 World Cup Super Eights clash after Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell’s explosive hitting lifted them to the second-highest total in tournament history on Monday.
West Indies stamped their authority on a flat surface, smashing 19 sixes and 16 fours to pile up 254/6, powered by Hetmyer’s 34-ball 85 and Powell’s 35-ball 59.
The Caribbean outfit fell just short of Sri Lanka’s record 260/6, set against Ireland in the inaugural 2007 edition.
Signed. Sealed. Delivered.🫡
A victory in the Super 8sâś…#WIvZIM | #T20WorldCup | #MaroonSpirit pic.twitter.com/V4PR5Wie1J
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) February 23, 2026
In reply, Zimbabwe wilted under the weight of the daunting target and the outcome was virtually sealed in the third over when Akeal Hosein (3/28) delivered a rare double-wicket maiden.
The collapse began with the dismissal of Zimbabwe’s most consistent batter in the tournament, Brian Bennett (5), bowled by Hosein. Opener Tadiwanashe Marumani (14) had earlier fallen to Matthew Forde, caught by Hetmyer.
Hetmyer was in the thick of things again when Ryan Burl (0) chipped one straight to mid-wicket off Hosein, leaving Zimbabwe tottering at 20/3 inside three overs.
Gudakesh Motie (4/28) then struck twice in successive deliveries in the 11th over to deepen Zimbabwe’s misery, and they were eventually bundled out for 147 in 17.4 overs.
Brad Evans’ career-best 43 off 21 balls, featuring two fours and five sixes, and his record 44-run stand for the 10th wicket with Richard Ngarava only trimmed the margin of defeat.
The win also marked West Indies’ fifth consecutive victory at the Wankhede Stadium in T20 World Cup history, a streak that dates back to their title triumph in 2016.
Hetmyer’s blazing assault
Hetmyer’s fireworks in the first innings saw the West Indies No. 3 eclipse his own record for the fastest half-century for his side, reaching the landmark in just 19 balls, bettering the 22-ball effort he had produced earlier in the tournament against Scotland.
Handed two reprieves, Hetmyer powered his way to a second fifty of the competition, hammering seven sixes and seven fours.
Like several teammates, Zimbabwe’s Tashinga Musekiwa was featuring at the iconic venue for the first time, but the 26-year-old endured a forgettable outing after dropping Hetmyer twice, on nine and 70.
Missed chances prove costly
Brandon King (9), after clearing the ropes off Richard Ngarava (2/47), holed out to Musekiwa at deep backward square in the third over.
In the following over, Musekiwa spilled a straightforward chance at the same position, giving Hetmyer a lifeline off Blessing Muzarabani (2/42), and that moment shifted the momentum decisively.
Hetmyer had begun confidently with a flick over mid-wicket for four off the first ball he faced and looked fluent until the miscued pull that was grassed.
Having crossed by then, Hetmyer reacted with visible frustration, gesturing at himself in disbelief.
Ngarava was soon dispatched for two consecutive boundaries before Graeme Cremer was launched for two towering sixes in the seventh over as Hetmyer accelerated.
Batting without a helmet or cap, as is his trademark, Hetmyer unleashed a series of towering sixes against a clueless Zimbabwe attack.
Skipper Sikandar Raza, who later took a painful blow from a Powell direct hit, attempted to wrest back control but was hammered for three leg-side sixes by Hetmyer in an over that yielded 20 runs.
Powell’s powerful support
West Indies plundered 124 runs between overs two and 12, with Hetmyer leading the charge and Powell offering strong backing. The duo added 122 off just 52 balls for the third wicket.
Even as Hetmyer dominated, Powell never appeared content to merely rotate strike. The pair ran sharply between the wickets, and Powell capitalized whenever the opportunity arose.
Powell’s knock included four boundaries and four sixes, highlighting his aggressive intent.
Late flourishing and complete dominance
In the closing stages, Sherfane Rutherford (31 not out), Romario Shepherd (21) and Jason Holder (13) provided the finishing touches.
Their late burst ensured West Indies surged past the 250-mark, completing a comprehensive performance with both bat and ball.
(With PTI Inputs)
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