In a Group 1 match in the Super 8s stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Mumbai on Monday, West Indies defeated a completely outclassed Zimbabwe by 107 runs thanks to Shimron Hetmyer’s blitzkrieg, which included seven sixes and an equal number of fours in a magnificent 34-ball 85.
As he led the West Indies to an incredible 254/6 in 20 overs, the greatest team score by any team in the T20 World Cup 2026 and the second-most in the tournament’s history, Hetmyer let loose fireworks on a gripping and spin-assisting Wankhede ground. Their 107-run victory margin proved to be the most in this competition.
Although Rovman Powell’s 35-ball 59 and his outstanding support in the third-wicket partnership of 122 runs proved to be the catalyst for a captivating performance by the 29-year-old Guyana player, who has risen from the middle-order to No. 2 in the batting order, Hetmyer turned the West Indies’ effort into a one-knock innings, scoring 85 in 34 balls.
But the match belonged to Hetmyer as his spectacular onslaught did a lot of good to West Indies’ Net Run Rate ahead of the key bouts against South Africa and India, as his big-hitting contributed to a tremendous.
After hitting Ngarava for consecutive boundaries in the fifth over and hitting Graeme Cremer for sixes off consecutive balls in the seventh over—the first a swipe across the line that landed in the deep mid-wicket stand, and the second over the cow corner—Hetmyer, who was on ten at the time, began a blitzkrieg.
He reached his half-century in 19 balls as West Indies rushed to 92/2 in the eighth over after hitting Zimbabwe captain Sikander Raza for three sixes in four legal deliveries in the following over.
The West Indies amassed a huge score, leaving Zimbabwe with a mountain to climb in the second innings. Sherfane Rutherford (31 not out off 13 balls) and Jason Holder (13 in four balls) hit Muzarbani for sixes off consecutive balls in the last over.
The target proved to be too difficult for Zimbabwe to reach, and when they collapsed to 20/3 in the third over, their battle was gone. Despite leaving the field to seek medical assistance after being struck by a shot from Powell, captain Sikander Raza took a few strokes during his 20-ball 27 and Dion Myer added 28 off 15 (3×4, 2×6).
In the last overs, Brad Evans smashed two consecutive sixes off Shamar Joseph and Jason Holder, scoring 43 off 21 balls (2×4, 5×6) as Zimbabwe was bowled out for 147 in 17.4 overs, suffering a crushing defeat. Although Evans and Richard Ngarava’s last-wicket partnership gave the total some respectability, Zimbabwe, the league phase giant-killers with victories over Australia and Sri Lanka, could not withstand the strain on the scoreboard.
While Akeal Hosein, who began Zimbabwe’s decline with 2-21 at the beginning, claimed 3-28 and Matthew Forde claimed 2-27 to finish the demolition job, Gudekesh Motie, who bowled beautifully, achieved his best numbers of 4-28.
Hetmyer, who won Player of the Match for his spectacular knock, stated, “I am trying to think less today, and the bat will now do the talking, and I respond to what is in front of me.” Significant. Especially because I did not win the last game. “All I want to do is repeat what I have been doing for the past two months,” Hetmyer remarked.
“I believe that we will not learn anything if we consider changing the country or the venues, and I believe that learning from this game is crucial. We do not wish to search for justifications. After the game, Raza stated, “We have to win in every country and at every location if we want to advance.”
West Indies’ NRR increased to 5-plus as a result of the decisive victory, further complicating India’s route to the semifinals.
Brief scores:
West Indies 254/6 in 20 overs (Shimron Hetmyer 85, Rovman Powell 59, Sherfane Rutherford 31 not out; Blessing Muzarabani 2-42, Richard Ngarava 2-47)
Zimbabwe 147 all out in 17.4 overs (Brad Evans 43 not out; Gudakesh Motie 4-28, Akeal Hosein 3-28)