1
0
W
0
0
6
= 7
Match Details
WI vs ZIM, 44th T20I, Super 8 Group 1 T20, T20 WC 2026 live
ZIM
147-10(17.4)
West Indies won by 107 runs 🏆
WI
(20.0)254-6
+
P'ship : 0(0)
Commentary
All
Highlights
Overs
W
6s
4s
Inn 1
Inn 2
Milestone
A monumental 107-run win sees the West Indies leapfrog South Africa in the Group 1 points table! It will take some effort from any of the remaining three teams in the group to get anywhere close to where the Windies are with the net run rate at this stage. Zimbabwe are in disarray, to be honest. They not only need to beat India and South Africa, but also need to win by bigger margins! More crucial games coming up in the Super 8s! Eyes will be on the games between WI and SA, IND and WI.
Tomorrow, it is a massive game between the 2022 T20 WC finalists - ENG and PAK - coming live from Pallekele.
For now, this is me, AkshayaKrishna Polya, signing off on behalf of my co-commentators, Ninaad Dixit, Dev Rajawat, scorer Manish Bishnoi and statistician Aman. We will meet again. Until then, it is cheers!
Tomorrow, it is a massive game between the 2022 T20 WC finalists - ENG and PAK - coming live from Pallekele.
For now, this is me, AkshayaKrishna Polya, signing off on behalf of my co-commentators, Ninaad Dixit, Dev Rajawat, scorer Manish Bishnoi and statistician Aman. We will meet again. Until then, it is cheers!
Most Runs Before First Dismissal in the T20 World Cups:
180 – Brian Bennett (Zimbabwe) (2026)*
151 – Tom Cooper (Netherlands) (2014)
141 – Aaron Jones (USA) (2024)
124 – Rohit Sharma (India) (2007–09)
180 – Brian Bennett (Zimbabwe) (2026)*
151 – Tom Cooper (Netherlands) (2014)
141 – Aaron Jones (USA) (2024)
124 – Rohit Sharma (India) (2007–09)
100% Win by a Team at a Venue in T20 WCs:
5* - West Indies in Mumbai (Wankhede)*
4 - India in Durban (1 match NR)
4 - West Indies in Providence
4 - South Africa in Ahmedabad
5* - West Indies in Mumbai (Wankhede)*
4 - India in Durban (1 match NR)
4 - West Indies in Providence
4 - South Africa in Ahmedabad
Shai Hope (West Indies Captain): (On the team’s batting performance) “We all enjoyed it. When everyone is firing like that, it’s such a joy to watch. It’s very pleasing to see everyone contributing. Romario also added some handy runs, which were great. Hopefully, there’s still one big innings left to come, but that will happen in time.
(On the unexpected assistance for spin) Honestly, I didn’t expect the ball to spin as much as it did today. The surface looked a bit tougher compared to the others we’ve played on. But the way it turned was surprising. Credit to the spinners for how they adapted and used those conditions really well, especially at the back end.
(On Shamar Joseph’s return and impact) Time away from the game can be very important. He’s been one of our best bowlers across formats, and it’s great to see him come back refreshed. He used that break wisely, worked on his skills, and even added something new with his wrist spin. It’s fantastic to see him contributing again.
(On areas for improvement despite the win) You always want to get better. There are always aspects of the game you can improve. While we take the positives, we also recognise there are things we can tidy up. But overall, I’m not too concerned. The players are working hard, and the results will follow.
(On backing his opening partner) We’ve all seen the form King has been in. He’s batting very well in the nets too. Sometimes the runs just don’t come, and that’s cricket. I have full confidence in his ability, and I’m sure a big score is just around the corner for him.
(On team selection and tactical decisions) That’s the nature of World Cups. It’s about using the entire squad, not just the playing XI. Selections are mostly tactical, based on opposition and conditions. Everyone has a role to play, and we try to pick the best combination for each situation.
(On the team’s overall progress) We know we haven’t achieved everything yet, but we’re happy with how things are shaping up. The focus is to keep improving, keep building momentum, and continue performing as a unit.”
(On the unexpected assistance for spin) Honestly, I didn’t expect the ball to spin as much as it did today. The surface looked a bit tougher compared to the others we’ve played on. But the way it turned was surprising. Credit to the spinners for how they adapted and used those conditions really well, especially at the back end.
(On Shamar Joseph’s return and impact) Time away from the game can be very important. He’s been one of our best bowlers across formats, and it’s great to see him come back refreshed. He used that break wisely, worked on his skills, and even added something new with his wrist spin. It’s fantastic to see him contributing again.
(On areas for improvement despite the win) You always want to get better. There are always aspects of the game you can improve. While we take the positives, we also recognise there are things we can tidy up. But overall, I’m not too concerned. The players are working hard, and the results will follow.
(On backing his opening partner) We’ve all seen the form King has been in. He’s batting very well in the nets too. Sometimes the runs just don’t come, and that’s cricket. I have full confidence in his ability, and I’m sure a big score is just around the corner for him.
(On team selection and tactical decisions) That’s the nature of World Cups. It’s about using the entire squad, not just the playing XI. Selections are mostly tactical, based on opposition and conditions. Everyone has a role to play, and we try to pick the best combination for each situation.
(On the team’s overall progress) We know we haven’t achieved everything yet, but we’re happy with how things are shaping up. The focus is to keep improving, keep building momentum, and continue performing as a unit.”
Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe Captain): "[on the finger] The plan of action is to go for an x-ray tomorrow and hopefully everything will be fine.
[challenges with changing venues] I do not wanna think like that. If we think about venues, the change in the country and all that, we will learn nothing from this game and I think for me and for Zimbabwe, it is very important that we take something out of this. It is very nice to play here but we can only learn something if we have an attitude where you actually want to learn and get something out of the game rather than look for those excuses that would not help us. So rather than change in venues, I'm not really bothered. If you have to go through then we have to play good cricket at any venue we get to. Whether it's here or Sri Lanka. Lot of good lessons learnt today.
[on the challenge while bowling] We thought that when we bowled it will pretty much stay true and flat but unfortunately started to turn and that's where we lost the plot but it was a great game from experience point of view. I'm sure the boys will learn a lot. How to bowl on those slow surfaces, how to bowl to guys who can hit the ball hard and far and certainly I think those are the lessons that we will take and if we find ourselves in a small venue again against a team that plays like West Indies then all the lessons we learnt today will actually help us to perform better in the next game.
[on chasing with scoreboard pressure] There was a time when myself and Tony were saying that even if the rate gets 18 for the last 7 overs, what we have noticed here when you hit the ball it flies. We just had to make sure we keep scoring 12 and 13 and I think we were getting there for a couple of overs without even trying anyway. Unfortunately Motie's spell sort of changed the whole complexion of the game. In this ground you are never out of the game if you have a good partnership going on. 2 set guys, there could be a lot of runs scored in the last 5-8 overs.
[on next game] Even though the bruises that we've received today, every game Zimbabwe walks out we look to win. We try and perform better and see what happens."
[challenges with changing venues] I do not wanna think like that. If we think about venues, the change in the country and all that, we will learn nothing from this game and I think for me and for Zimbabwe, it is very important that we take something out of this. It is very nice to play here but we can only learn something if we have an attitude where you actually want to learn and get something out of the game rather than look for those excuses that would not help us. So rather than change in venues, I'm not really bothered. If you have to go through then we have to play good cricket at any venue we get to. Whether it's here or Sri Lanka. Lot of good lessons learnt today.
[on the challenge while bowling] We thought that when we bowled it will pretty much stay true and flat but unfortunately started to turn and that's where we lost the plot but it was a great game from experience point of view. I'm sure the boys will learn a lot. How to bowl on those slow surfaces, how to bowl to guys who can hit the ball hard and far and certainly I think those are the lessons that we will take and if we find ourselves in a small venue again against a team that plays like West Indies then all the lessons we learnt today will actually help us to perform better in the next game.
[on chasing with scoreboard pressure] There was a time when myself and Tony were saying that even if the rate gets 18 for the last 7 overs, what we have noticed here when you hit the ball it flies. We just had to make sure we keep scoring 12 and 13 and I think we were getting there for a couple of overs without even trying anyway. Unfortunately Motie's spell sort of changed the whole complexion of the game. In this ground you are never out of the game if you have a good partnership going on. 2 set guys, there could be a lot of runs scored in the last 5-8 overs.
[on next game] Even though the bruises that we've received today, every game Zimbabwe walks out we look to win. We try and perform better and see what happens."
Most 6s by a batter At Number 8 or Lower in an Innings in T20 WCs:
5 - Brad Evans (Zimbabwe) vs West Indies, Mumbai (Wankhede), Tonight*
4 - Carlos Brathwaite (West Indies) vs England, Kolkata, 2016
4 - Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) vs Australia, Adelaide, 2022
5 - Brad Evans (Zimbabwe) vs West Indies, Mumbai (Wankhede), Tonight*
4 - Carlos Brathwaite (West Indies) vs England, Kolkata, 2016
4 - Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) vs Australia, Adelaide, 2022
Shimron Hetmyer (Player of the Match): (On winning the POTM award) "It means a lot, actually. Especially because I didn’t get much in the last game. I’m just trying to keep replicating the same things I’ve been doing over the past few months, and so far it’s been working.
(On batting at number three) It feels good. It’s a lot easier now because I’ve been doing it for quite a while. Being in that situation more often and having the backing of everyone in the team makes it a very comfortable space mentally, which really helps.
(On his six-hitting record in the tournament) I’m not really thinking too much about it, but it does feel good to have achieved something like that. At the same time, we haven’t really accomplished anything yet. It’s just one game, and there’s still more to come, so the focus is on taking it one game at a time.
(On motivation and support from family) My family back home keeps supporting me, and that really helps. It keeps me pushing forward and reminds me that I can keep improving and doing better.
(On what worked for him at Wankhede) Not overthinking my batting. In the past, I used to overthink a lot, especially when walking out to bat. Now I’m trying to think less, let the bat do the talking, and just react to whatever is in front of me.”
(On batting at number three) It feels good. It’s a lot easier now because I’ve been doing it for quite a while. Being in that situation more often and having the backing of everyone in the team makes it a very comfortable space mentally, which really helps.
(On his six-hitting record in the tournament) I’m not really thinking too much about it, but it does feel good to have achieved something like that. At the same time, we haven’t really accomplished anything yet. It’s just one game, and there’s still more to come, so the focus is on taking it one game at a time.
(On motivation and support from family) My family back home keeps supporting me, and that really helps. It keeps me pushing forward and reminds me that I can keep improving and doing better.
(On what worked for him at Wankhede) Not overthinking my batting. In the past, I used to overthink a lot, especially when walking out to bat. Now I’m trying to think less, let the bat do the talking, and just react to whatever is in front of me.”
Player of the Match: Shimron Hetmyer
Most 6s in a T20 WC Match:
31 - West Indies vs Zimbabwe, Mumbai (Wankhede), 2026, Tonight*
30 - Ireland vs Netherlands, Sylhet, 2014
25 - England vs Italy, Kolkata, 2026
31 - West Indies vs Zimbabwe, Mumbai (Wankhede), 2026, Tonight*
30 - Ireland vs Netherlands, Sylhet, 2014
25 - England vs Italy, Kolkata, 2026
Most Wickets by West Indies Spinners in a T20I:
7 vs New Zealand, Lauderhill, 2012
7 vs Zimbabwe, Mumbai (Wankhede), Tonight*
7 vs New Zealand, Lauderhill, 2012
7 vs Zimbabwe, Mumbai (Wankhede), Tonight*
Commentary