The West Indies delivered an announcement of intent on the Wankhede Stadium on February 23, 2026, crushing an unbeaten Zimbabwe by 107 runs of their opening T20 World Cup 2026 Tremendous 8 fixture. This victory not solely halted Zimbabwe’s fairytale run but additionally noticed the Windies rewrite the file books with the best whole of the 2026 version to this point.
Regardless of Zimbabwe profitable the toss and electing to bowl, they had been powerless in opposition to a ruthless Caribbean batting lineup that exploited the quick boundaries of Mumbai to perfection. The win maintains the West Indies’ flawless file on the Wankhede in T20 World Cups and locations them on the high of their Tremendous 8 group. With this efficiency, the two-time champions have signaled they’re the staff to beat within the race for the semi-finals.
Shimron Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford ignite Wankhede with record-breaking firepower
The West Indies posted a gargantuan 254/6, the second-highest whole in T20 World Cup historical past, fueled by a savage batting show led by Shimron Hetmyer. After a gradual begin, Hetmyer unleashed carnage, smashing a 19-ball half-century and ending with a blistering 85 off 34 balls, a knock that included eight towering sixes. He discovered a damaging companion in Sherfane Rutherford, who supplied the late-innings impetus with a quick-fire 31 off 13 balls* because the Windies plundered 75 runs within the remaining 5 overs.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers, who had been disciplined all through the group stage, seemed shell-shocked because the ball flew to all components of the bottom, with even the dependable Blessing Muzarabani conceding heavy runs. Regardless of being dropped twice, Hetmyer’s ‘X-factor’ innings successfully batted Zimbabwe out of the competition earlier than they even started their chase. The whole of 254 set a mountainous required run charge of 12.75, leaving the African nation needing a miracle to stay aggressive of their first-ever Tremendous 8 look on Indian soil.
Additionally WATCH: ZIM vs WI: Akeal Hosein’s magic ball ends Brian Bennett’s dream run in T20 World Cup 2026
Gudakesh Motie and Akeal Hosein spin an online to dismantle the Zimbabwean chase in opposition to West Indies
The Zimbabwean response by no means discovered its rhythm as they had been bundled out for 147 in 17.4 overs, falling sufferer to a medical and disciplined West Indian bowling assault. Akeal Hosein set the tone early, ripping by the highest order to go away Zimbabwe reeling at 20/3 throughout the first three overs. Nevertheless, the true star of the second innings was Gudakesh Motie, who registered his career-best T20I figures of 4/28, together with the prized wicket of Zimbabwe’s captain, Sikandar Raza.
Raza’s dismissal for 18 successfully signaled the tip of any sensible chase, regardless of a spirited late-order cameo from Brad Evans, who smashed 43 off 21 balls to supply some leisure for the Mumbai crowd. The tempo duo of Alzarri Joseph and Jason Holder supplied the proper ending touches, with Holder claiming a pointy caught-and-bowled to wrap up the decrease order. This 107-run victory is a large enhance for the West Indies’ Internet Run Fee and serves as a actuality test for Zimbabwe, who should now win their remaining fixtures to remain alive within the competitors.
Right here’s how followers reacted:
Akeal Hosein has been an influence play financial institution.
He’s an actual asset for any staff.👌#T20WorldCup
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) February 23, 2026
The West Indies are sending a powerful message to everybody else.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 23, 2026
🚨 TWO UNBEATEN TEAMS IN T20 WORLD CUP 2026 🚨
1) South Africa
2) West IndiesTHE BATTLE OF BEST THURSDAY…!!!! pic.twitter.com/DTxFlFKxPO
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 23, 2026
Looks like 2016 once more, West Indies simply confirmed up 💀 pic.twitter.com/WPIzuYi1cl
— isHaHaHa (@hajarkagalwa) February 23, 2026
What if West Indies defeats South Africa by 100 runs after which South Africa win by a small margin in opposition to Zimbabwe and find yourself getting their net-run-rate decrease than India. OMG West Indies and India will qualify. WOW.
— Foolish Level (@FarziCricketer) February 23, 2026
West Indies win by 107 runs.
Domination
AnnihilationIndia and South Africa we coming for you two subsequent. pic.twitter.com/Shm26mbGQW
— Caribbean Cricket Podcast (@CaribCricket) February 23, 2026
Given how huge West Indies and South Africa have gained their first recreation, it now boils right down to West Indies vs South Africa recreation to find out if Workforce India can or how onerous we’ve to wrestle to make it to semis.
A South Africa win will assist India qualify with a easy win but when it…
— G. S. Vivek (@GSV1980) February 23, 2026
Jo Darr tha wahi hua…West Indies kaa NRR 5.35 🤪🤪🤪… Nonetheless I believe we undergo to Semi’s… we are going to win each our matches and SA will all thr matches… 😊😊…Assume Constructive #India #T20WC2026
— Samip Rajguru (@samiprajguru) February 23, 2026
So mainly this: whereas India must beat each Zimbabwe and West Indies, they may qualify if South Africa beat West Indies on Thursday. Else SA and WI’s NRR will give them them ticket if groups are tied with 2 wins#ICCT20WORLDCUP
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) February 23, 2026
💥 NRR EARTHQUAKE ALERT! 💥🌪️
WEST INDIES CRUSH ZIMBABWE BY 107 RUNS and INDIA FEEL THE SHOCK 😳
+5.35 NRR FOR WINDIES 🤯 | KNOCKOUT SCENARIOS TURN FIERY 🔥
Scorecard: https://t.co/j7bePjOG6k#T20WorldCup2026 #ICCMensT20WorldCup #GudakeshMotie #cricket #Zimbabwe #WesIndies… pic.twitter.com/ST6ytjTedU— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 23, 2026
Additionally READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Sunil Gavaskar slams star India batter following humiliating defeat in opposition to South Africa
