Hetmyer And Powell Unleash Carnage As West Indies Hammer Zimbabwe By 107 Runs

West Indies beat Zimbabwe [Source: @PahadiB80430845/x.com]

If this was a statement game, West Indies just shouted it from the rooftops. On a humid Monday night at Wankhede, the Caribbean giants went full beast mode and steamrolled Zimbabwe by 107 runs to kick off their Super Eights campaign in style.

With this thumping victory, the Men in Maroon have started their Super Eights journey on the front foot and the confidence in that dressing room will now be sky high.

Here’s a look at ZIM vs WI highlights.

Hetmyer and Powell turn Wankhede into a carnival

After being asked to bat first, West Indies didn’t exactly hit top gear straight away. Brandon King and Shai Hope fell early and Zimbabwe sniffed a small opening. But that hope did not last long. Then walked in Shimron Hetmyer and chaos followed. 

The southpaw went berserk and turned the Wankhede into his personal playground. Hetmyer smashed 85 off just 34 balls, peppering the stands with seven fours and as many massive sixes. Every time Zimbabwe tried to pull things back, Hetmyer shifted gears and went harder.

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At the other end, Rovman Powell played the perfect partner in crime. The skipper hammered 59 off 35 and the duo stitched together a brutal 122-run stand that completely flipped the game on its head. By the time they were done, Zimbabwe’s bowling attack looked out of answers and out of breath.

The late overs were pure fireworks. Sherfane Rutherford stayed unbeaten on 31 off 13, Romario Shepherd flexed his muscles with a quick 21, and Jason Holder smashed 13 off just four balls. West Indies posted a jaw-dropping 254/6, the second highest total in T20 World Cup history.

Spin duo rips through Zimbabwe as West Indies seal 107-run win

Chasing 255 was always going to be a tall order, but Zimbabwe’s innings never really got going. They lost three wickets for just 20 runs and from there, the writing was on the wall.

Tadiwanashe Marumani started brightly but once he fell, the top order folded like a pack of cards. Brian Bennett and Ryan Burl followed quickly and the required rate shot through the roof.

Dion Myers played a counterattacking knock of 28 and skipper Sikandar Raza tried to hold things together with 27, but the West Indies spinners had other plans.

Gudakesh Motie ran through the middle order like a hot knife through butter as he finished with a superb 4/28. Akeal Hosein joined the party with 3/28 and together they squeezed Zimbabwe out of the contest. Every over felt like the screws tightening.

Brad Evans provided late entertainment with a fearless 43 off 21 balls, smashing five sixes, but by then the game had already slipped away. Zimbabwe were eventually bowled out for 147 in 17.4 overs.

West Indies walked off with a massive 107-run win and two crucial points in the bag. More importantly, they have sent a loud message to every team in the Super Eights, this side means business and they are here to go all the way.

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