T20 World Cup: Caribbean Six Storm Flattens Zimbabwe

West Indies delivered a grave message to the other competitors in the 2026 T20 World Cup by crushing Zimbabwe by 107 runs in an astounding show of power-hitting at the Wankhede stadium.

The Caribbean team made 254/6 in an inning with a mixture of brutality and nostalgia, the second highest in the history of the men T20 World Cup. The knock had a staggering 19 sixes the most by a team in a single innings in the history of the tournament.

Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell were at the centre of the bloodshed as their explosive half-centuries flattened the bowling attack of Zimbabwe and gave memories of title-winning campaigns of West Indies in 2012 and 2016.

Premature Successes Promise Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe started with a bright beginning following the decision to bowl. Pacer Richard Ngarava (who had returned from injury) made an instant impact with a slower delivery where he deceived Brandon King that resulted in a simple catch at long leg. This was followed very shortly afterwards by Craig Evans who created a cunning off-cutter to pull off Shai Hope who was snatched by Brian Bennett in the deep.

In spite of the fact that West Indies lost two wickets in the power play, it nevertheless managed to reach 55 in six overs, which indicated what was to follow.

Magical Hetmyer's Masterclass 

Promoted to No. 3 in a strategic move, Hetmyer wasted little time asserting control. Ruthless against spin, he dismantled Graeme Cremer and Sikandar Raza with fearless strokeplay, smashing all seven of his sixes against the slower bowlers.

His 19-ball fifty not only stunned Zimbabwe but also rewrote his own record for the fastest half-century in a T20 World Cup by a West Indian. Hetmyer’s hunger was relentless, and even two dropped chances by Tashinga Musekiwa proved costly for Zimbabwe.

When Bennett has at last caught a fish in deep water, it was too late.

Powell and Company Keep the Fire Burning

In case Hetmyer had set the tone, Powell made sure that there was no slackness. The former captain, who had started slowly, suddenly burst to life, clearing the ropes with a series of blows, one of them an almost 106-metre blow, which flew all the way into the night at Mumbai.

The pace was held by Powell with his 29-ball fifty, followed by Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder who continued to put on fireworks at the end to push the total beyond 250.

The continuous attack shook Zimbabwe, even Raza spent a few moments off the ground after bruising his hand trying to make a sharp return catch.

Zimbabwe Falling Under Pressure.

Going after 255 was never going to be without early velocity, but Zimbabwe never had it. In three overs, they reeled at three wickets down.

A rip through the middle order was then followed by Gudakesh Motie with a superb display of 4-28- his best T20 international performance. Raza was evidently looking uncomfortable with his previous injury and briefly resisted before being bowled by a ball that deviated sharply off the track.

Akeal Hosein served to make it worse in Zimbabwe through a perfectly struck delivery to send Bennett back and henceforth, everything was downhill.

Evans struggled with a plucky 43 off 21 balls but already Zimbabwe had disintegrated to 103 for 9. The seal was later placed on the emphatic victory by Matthew Forde who finished the innings in the 18th over.

This victory for the West Indies marks the second-largest by runs in T20 internationals, further cementing them as a serious contender for the title.

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