Zimbabwe vs West Indies, Super 8 - Match 4 Match Summary

What's next? The Super Eight stage continues in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, 2026 as England go up against Pakistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, 24th February. The first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 1.30 pm GMT. But as you all know, you can join us in advance to catch all the pre-match analysis and the build-up. Until then, we sign off, cheers.

The road ahead - So after South Africa thrashing India in Ahmedabad, West Indies continue their love affair with the Wankhede as they demolish Zimbabwe in all departments to take a massive leap in the Super Eights. They will now travel to Ahmedabad to face South Africa for their next assignment. And boy, that is going to be a delicious clash between two teams working in perfect sync. That game will be played on Thursday, 26th February, in the afternoon. Whereas for Zimbabwe, they move down south to Chennai to go up against India on the same day, in the night game. Both teams will be searching for their first wins in the Super Eights and a defeat would almost extinguish their chances of moving forward.

The victorious captain of West Indies - Shai Hope says that they all enjoyed that batting performance. Adds that it was good to see Powell getting some runs as well. Mentions that he didn't think it would spin that much on this wicket, and Motie along with Hosein, were excellent in these conditions. Says that you can't neglect time off from the game, and that has helped Motie, who has come back stronger and with new skills. Admits that there are a few areas that needs improvement and they will address that. Further says that King hasn't got the runs but he was in great form before the World Cup and they are backing him to come up with the goods. Ends by saying that they look at the opposition's strengths, weaknesses, and make tactical changes and sometimes on form, but they feel it's better not to make too many changes.

The captain of Zimbabwe - Sikandar Raza, on being asked about his finger injury, says he will go for an X-ray tomorrow and is hopeful that everything will be fine. He says the team plans to take an extra day to reset, but stresses that he does not want to focus on venues or any change of country. He feels that thinking along those lines would only distract them from learning the right lessons from the game. For him, he says, what matters is improvement, not excuses. He adds that if Zimbabwe are good enough to progress, they must be able to play quality cricket anywhere, be it here or in Sri Lanka. Speaking about the conditions, Raza mentions that they expected the pitch to remain flat, but it began to turn, and that is where they lost control. From the experience point of view, he terms it a valuable game, saying the players will learn how to bowl on slower surfaces and how to handle batters who can strike the ball powerfully over long distances. He also notes that if they find themselves in similar conditions again, especially at smaller venues against sides like West Indies, the lessons from this game will be useful. On the chase, Raza reveals that there was a phase where he felt even 18 runs an over in the last seven overs was achievable on that ground, given how well the ball travels when struck cleanly. Details that the plan was to keep ticking along at around 12 or 13 an over without taking undue risks, which they managed for a while. However, he admits that Gudakesh Motie’s spell changed the entire complexion of the game. Still, he maintains that with two set batters, a lot of runs can be scored in the final overs at this venue. Despite the heavy defeat, Raza says that they always step out with the intent to win and to earn respect through strong performances. Looking ahead, he says that facing India will be another big test, with both teams having something to prove. He concludes by saying Zimbabwe will take the lessons from this game, use their understanding of conditions in Chennai, and aim to put in a better performance.

... Let's hear what the two captains have to say ...

The difference makers - In stark contrast between the spinners of both teams, Zimbabwe struggled badly to contain the flow of runs, leaking 90 in a combined 7 overs for just one wicket. Meanwhile, Motie and Hosein bossed it up with their smart variations, sharing seven wickets between them while conceding only 56 runs in their 8 overs, including two maidens as well. Another key difference lay in the six hitting. If not for Evans landing a few lusty blows at the back end, the numbers would have looked even more lopsided for the Chevrons. Zimbabwe managed 12 sixes, while West Indies cleared the ropes 19 times. Add to that the sharper effort in the field from West Indies, and it neatly summed up the gulf between the two sides.

Fighting for a game lost already - The gap in the worm of both teams was very evident right from the start. At 87/4 at the halfway mark, with Raza also back in the hut right after that, it was only a matter of time before West Indies wrapped up the remaining wickets. Gudakesh Motie once again proved to be too hot to handle in the middle phase, just like Hosein broke the back of the top order inside the Powerplay. Brad Evans did provide a late spark with a sensational, out of the syllabus 43 off just 21 balls at the back end. The result was never in doubt, but he showed glimpses of his ability to strike the ball cleanly.

Wheels came off even before the takeoff - The target proved far too steep for Zimbabwe, as chasing 255 is a massive ask regardless of how batting-friendly the surface is. They were rocked early, slipping to 20/3 inside the first three overs, with in-form Brian Bennett dismissed for the first time this World Cup. Dion Myers showed some early intent before departing, while Raza struggled to find any fluency at the crease. With no real foundation from the top order, the middle order was left with too much to do.

Dropped chances, brutal consequences - West Indies lost King and Hope inside the Powerplay, but what followed was absolute mayhem, with a touch of generosity from Zimbabwe as they put down Hetmyer twice, on 9 and then 70. Hetmyer made them pay ruthlessly as he played a blasting knock of 85 from just 34 balls. He was joined by Rovman Powell, who started a bit slow, but once he found his groove, it was a merciless assault from both ends as the two formed an authoritative 122-run partnership for the third wicket. The two cherrypicked the spinners and made them tour the park. The base was set for a strong finish, though Zimbabwe got a few breakthroughs in middle, the incoming batters came in with the license to go big and with important cameos from Rutherford (31 off 13), Shepherd (21 off 10), and Holder (13 off 4), West Indies put on 254 on the board.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Shimron Hetmyer receives the award for his swashbuckling knock of 85 from just 34 balls. He says that this innings means a lot to him as he didn't get much in the last game and the hard work he has put in the last couple of months, seems to be working. Mentions that he has been in such high pressure situations for a while now and the confidence he gets from the team as well, helps. On being the leading six hitter of the tournament, he says that it doesn't mean much as they haven't accomplished anything yet and want to take it game by game. Further adds that his family is out here as well, supporting him and he has learned to let the bat do the talking for him.

Dominance personified by the Men in Maroon - A truly clinical win for West Indies as they start their Super Eight journey in some style. They have completely outbatted, outbowled, and outplayed Zimbabwe at the Wankhede, as this humongous win will do the world of good to their net run rate. With this, they move up top in Group 1 of the Super Eights, whereas the loss for Zimbabwe pushes them down to the rock bottom as their net run rate takes a massive, massive dent. No offence, but Zimbabwe never really felt like they arrived in the contest. With the ball, it was a tough outing as they just couldn’t stem the flow of runs. With the bat, it turned into a procession, wickets falling one after another, and when your number eight ends up as the top scorer in a 255 chase, it says everything about how their day went.

OUT! TAKEN! Matthew Forde wraps things up finally. WEST INDIES WIN BY 107 RUNS. Forde serves a clever slower delivery, full and on off. Brad Evans looks to slog it across the line, but gets undone by the lack of pace, going through the shot way too early. It takes the top edge and lobs up towards short third, where Akeal Hosein pouches it safely. It is all smiles in the Windies camp as they begin the Super 8s with a massive win.

Right in the blockhole, on middle, Richard Ngarava jams it out to deep mid-wicket for a single and gets Evans back on strike.

WIDE! Tries the bouncer, on middle, but this is too high. Richard Ngarava goes for the pull but misses. Wided.

Good length and on middle, angling in, Richard Ngarava gets behind the line and blocks it out.

Back of a length and around off, Richard Ngarava has a big heave across the line but fails to connect.

Matthew Forde (3-0-25-1) returns into the attack, replacing Jason Holder. Also, Pommie Mbangwa on air mentions that this is the highest 10th wicket partnership in all the T20 World Cups.

SIX! This is incredible batting! Too bad it has come a bit too late. Joseph bangs in a bouncer now, on off. Brad Evans moves to the leg side early. He waits for the ball to arrive and plays the upper cut, timing it nicely as the ball sails over the third man fence for the third six in the over. 18 from this over as well, 36 in the last two.

SIX! Clean strike! A slower delivery from Shamar Joseph, fuller and around leg. Brad Evans backs away early, gets right underneath it and tonks it over the long on fence for half a dozen more.

Pitched up and on the pads as well, Brad Evans glances it to fine leg again. He wants the run but his partner sends him back.

Fuller delivery but down the leg side, Brad Evans clips it way. He times it well but it goes on the bounce to fine leg.

Nails the yorker, on middle and leg. Brad Evans backs away and gets his bat down just in time to dig it out. It goes off the bottom edge towards the short fine region.

SIX! Brad Evans is playing a blinder here! Shamar Joseph serves this full and on middle, at 137.7 clicks. Evans shuffles across early, uses the pace to scoop it well over the fine leg fence for another biggie. He moves to 31 off 15 now.

Shamar Joseph (2-0-17-0) is back on.

Follows it up with a slower bouncer, on off, Brad Evans gets his bat above his head and swats it through mid-wicket for one. 18 runs off the over!

A good wide yorker, outside off, Brad Evans fails to reach out for it.

SIX MORE! Jason Holder getting a taste of his own medicine! This is short again and around middle, sits up nicely for the batter. Brad Evans gets on top of the bounce and absolutely hammers it over the deep square leg fence again for half a dozen more.

SIX! Shows his power this time! Jason Holder bangs this into the pitch again, pace on this time, on middle. Brad Evans picks up the length early, swivels and pulls it with disdain over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

FOUR! Cheeky! Back of a length and around off. Brad Evans bends his back to sway away from the ball. He uses the pace and upper cuts it to the third man fence for a boundary.

WIDE! Spills a low full toss down the leg side, Brad Evans fails to glance it away. Wided.