Zimbabwe team - (Source: AFP)
On Monday, February 23, Zimbabwe will begin their T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 campaign when they face the West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The Sikandar Raza-led side are the new talk of the town because of their heroics in group-stages.
For the unversed, Zimbabwe beat Australia and Sri Lanka to top their group with three wins in three matches. The job is not over for the African nation; in fact, their real challenge begins from here, which is to try and reach their maiden T20 World Cup semi-finals.
West Indies vs Zimbabwe Preview
The focus here will be on Zimbabwe, who are dealing with a few injury concerns. Notably, the Raza-led side will play its first match in India in this tournament. So far, Zimbabwe have played all their games on a challenging track and outplayed the opponent. However, now they face the real test because the surface demands a high total.
Talking about the players, Zimbabwe missed Richard Ngarava against Sri Lanka, as he is dealing with a hamstring issue. Further, Sikandar Raza also had cramps in the last game, but the conditions will be better for the players in Mumbai.
Ahead of the upcoming match, this article will shed light on Zimbabwe’s probable XI for the game against the West Indies on February 23.
Zimbabwe Playing XI vs West Indies- Match 44
Openers and Top Order (Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Ryan Burl)
The credit behind Zimbabwe's success so far should go to their top-order. Brian Bennett is in the form of his life as the right-handed batter is yet to be dismissed in this tournament. The 22-year-old has scored 175 runs in three innings, which includes two fifty-plus scores.
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Bennett's strike-rate has been 125 and that too on challenging tracks, which is commendable. On the other hand, Tadiwanashe Marumani has been the aggressive one, who has scored 90 runs in three innings at a strike-rate of 155.17.
Ryan Burl has been fine as well in this edition with 58 runs in two innings. The important thing here is that Burl has experience and understands the situation well. Against Australia, he scored a 35 (30), while he amassed a quickfire 23 (12) against Sri Lanka.
Middle Order and All Rounders (Sikandar Raza, Tashinga Musekiwa, Tony Munyonga, Dion Myers)
Zimbabwe's middle-order has been single-handedly carried by Sikandar Raza. The star captain has 75 runs in three innings, with a whopping strike-rate of 182.93. With the ball, Raza has picked up a solitary wicket, but he has been economical with an economy of 7.00.
Rest, Tashinga Musekiwa and Tony Munyonga have not been tested so far in the tournament, but will still continue to be part of Zimbabwe's middle-order against West Indies in Mumbai.
One issue for Zimbabwe is that Dion Myers has not been upto the mark in this event. The 23-year-old is yet to take a wicket and score a run in the tournament.
Bowlers (Blessing Muzarabani, Wellington Masakadza, Brad Evans, Graeme Cremer)
Blessing Muzarabani has been the star of the tournament for Zimbabwe. The left-arm seamer has picked up 9 wickets in just three innings, making him the third-leading wicket-taker in the tournament.
Now, there is no clarity over Richard Ngarava's return, but even if he is fit, then Zimbabwe wouldn't risk him for West Indies game as they also have many more important matches left in the tournament.
Zimbabwe Playing XI vs West Indies - Match 44, T20 World Cup 2026
Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (Wk), Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza (C), Tashinga Musekiwa, Tony Munyonga, Dion Myers, Blessing Muzarabani, Wellington Masakadza, Brad Evans, Graeme Cremer
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