Top things to know
- Shimron Hetmyer's explosive 85 off 34 balls powered the West Indies to 254-6, the second-highest total in T20 World Cup history.
- Zimbabwe, previously giant-killers after defeating Australia, were bowled out for 147, with spinners Motie and Hosein taking seven wickets between them.
- Despite the record-breaking win, Hetmyer and the team emphasized they are not getting carried away and are focused on their next match.
The West Indies cricket team opened their Super Eights campaign with a thunderous 107-run victory over Zimbabwe in the T20 World Cup in Mumbai on Monday. Led by a blistering, record-setting innings from Shimron Hetmyer, who smashed 85 runs off just 34 deliveries, the Caribbean side posted a mammoth total of 254 for 6. Zimbabwe's chase never gained momentum, collapsing to 147 all out in4-28) and Akeal Hosein (3-28) dismantling their batting order.
This dominant performance is particularly significant as it marks the second-highest team total in the entire history of the T20 World Cup, trailing only Sri Lanka's 260 against Kenya in 2007. The victory sends a powerful message to other contenders, proving the West Indies' batting lineup is a formidable force. It also serves as a stark contrast to Zimbabwe's fairytale run, which included stunning upsets over heavyweights Australia and Sri Lanka to even reach this Super Eights stage.
Despite the historic nature of the win, player of the match Hetmyer immediately tempered celebrations, stating the team hasn't accomplished anything yet and is focused on taking the tournament one game at a time. The emphatic win provides immense momentum for the West Indies as they advance deeper into the knockout phase, establishing them as serious title threats. For Zimbabwe, the defeat is a harsh reality check, though late hitting from Brad Evans (43) offered a small consolation.