The West India On 23 February 2026, they made a statement of intent by thrashing an unbeaten team at the Wankhede Stadium. Zimbabwe 107 runs in their opener T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 facility. The win not only ended Zimbabwe’s fairytale run but also saw the Windies rewrite the record books with the highest total of the 2026 edition so far.
Despite Zimbabwe winning the toss and electing to bowl, they were powerless against a relentless Caribbean batting line-up who used Mumbai’s short boundaries to perfection. The win maintains West Indies’ unblemished record at the Wankhede in T20 World Cups and places them top of the Super 8 group. With this performance, the two-time champions signaled that they are the team to beat in the fight for the semi-finals.
Shimron Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford ignite the Wankhede with record-breaking firepower.
West Indies posted a mammoth 254/6, the second highest total in T20 World Cup history. Shimron Hetmyer. After a steady start, Hetmyer smashed his 19th ball half-century, finishing with 85 off 34 balls, a knock that included eight powerful sixes. He found a destructive partner Shefane RutherfordA quickfire 31 off 13 balls fueled the late innings as the Windies plundered 75 runs in the last five overs.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers, disciplined throughout the group stage, were shocked as the ball flew all over the ground. Blessed Muzarabani accepts heavy runs. Despite being dismissed twice, Hetmyer’s ‘X-factor’ innings effectively put Zimbabwe out of the contest before they could even begin their chase. A total of 254 set a mountainous required run rate of 12.75, leaving the African nation in need of a miracle to remain competitive in its first Super 8 appearance on Indian soil.
Also WATCH: ZIM vs WI: Akeal Hosein’s magic ball ends Brian Bennett’s dream run in T20 World Cup 2026
Gudakesh Motie and Akeal Hosein spun the net to spoil Zimbabwe’s chase against the West Indies.
Zimbabwe’s reply never found their rhythm as they were bundled out for 147 in 17.4 overs, falling victim to a clinical and disciplined West Indies bowling attack. Akeal Hosein Set the tone early by going through the top order to rattle Zimbabwe at 20/3 inside the first three overs. But he became the real star of the second innings Gudakesh Movementwho recorded career-best T20I figures of 4/28, including the prize-winning wicket of the Zimbabwe captain, Sikandar Raza.
Raza’s dismissal for 18 years marked the end of any real prosecution. Brad Evans, He smashed 43 off 21 balls to provide some entertainment for the Mumbai crowd. tempo duet Alzarri Joseph and Jason Holder Providing excellent finishing touches, Holder claimed a sharp catch and bowled to complete the low order. This 107-run win is a huge boost to West Indies’ Net Run Rate and serves as a reality check for Zimbabwe, who now need to win their remaining matches to stay alive in the competition.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
Akeal Hosein has been a power play bank.
He is a real asset to any team.👌#T20WorldCup
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) February 23, 2026
West Indies sends a strong message to everyone.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 23, 2026
🚨 TWO FAILING TEAMS IN T20 WORLD CUP 2026 🚨
1) South Africa
2) Western IndiaBEST FIGHT OF THE THURSDAY…!!!! pic.twitter.com/DTxFlFKxPO
– Jones. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 23, 2026
It feels like 2016 all over again, the West Indies just popped up 💀 pic.twitter.com/WPIzuYi1cl
— isHaHaHa (@hajarkagalwa) February 23, 2026
If West Indies beat South Africa by 100 runs and South Africa win by a narrow margin against Zimbabwe resulting in a lower net run rate than India. OMG West Indies and India will be eligible. WOW.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) February 23, 2026
West Indies win by 107 runs.
Dominance
DestructionIndia and South Africa will come for you two. pic.twitter.com/Shm26mbGQW
— Caribbean Cricket Podcast (@CaribCricket) February 23, 2026
Given how big wins West Indies and South Africa had in their first games, it now comes down to West Indies vs South Africa to determine whether Team India can make it or how hard we have to fight to make it to the semi-finals.
A South African win will help India qualify with a simple win, but if…
— GS Vivek (@GSV1980) February 23, 2026
Jo Darr tha wahi hua…West Indies kaa NRR 5.35 🤪🤪🤪… Still I think we will go through to Semi… we will win both our matches and SA will win all matches… 😊😊…Think Positive #India #T20WC2026
— Samip Rajguru (@samiprajguru) February 23, 2026
Here’s the gist: While India have to beat both Zimbabwe and the West Indies, they will qualify if South Africa beat the West Indies on Thursday. Otherwise NRR of SA and WI will give them tickets if they are tied with 2 wins#ICCT20WORLDCUP
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) February 23, 2026
💥 NRR earthquake warning! 💥🌪️
WEST INDIES BEAT ZIMBABWE BY 107 RUNS A SHOCKING RUDE INDIA 😳
+5.35 NRR FOR WINDS 🤯 | KNOCKOUT SCENARIOS FIRE TURNING 🔥
Account card: https://t.co/j7bePjOG6k#T20WorldCup2026 #ICCMensT20 World Cup #GudakeshMotie #cricket #Zimbabwe #West Indies… pic.twitter.com/ST6ytjTedU— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 23, 2026
Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Sunil Gavaskar slams star India after humiliating loss to South Africa
