In 69 T20 international innings, Shimron Hetmyer has now made nine half-centuries
The West Indies cricket team launched their Super 8 campaign in dominant fashion, hammering Zimbabwe cricket team by 107 runs after a breathtaking assault from Shimron Hetmyer at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium.
Hetmyer’s Masterclass Lights Up Mumbai
Hetmyer produced one of the innings of the tournament, smashing 85 from just 34 deliveries at a strike rate of 250. His knock — studded with seven fours and seven sixes — blended clean power with clever strike rotation.
The Guyanese left-hander survived two dropped chances early and midway through his innings, mistakes that proved costly as he raced to a 19-ball half-century — the fastest by a West Indian in T20 World Cup history, bettering his own previous mark.
His calm approach was evident after the match, saying he had stopped overthinking and was simply reacting to the ball.
Late Surge Pushes Total Past 250
After Hetmyer set the platform, captain Rovman Powell accelerated with a fluent 59 from 35 balls.
Quickfire cameos from Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, and Jason Holder powered the total to 254-6 — the second-highest score in T20 World Cup history.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers endured a punishing outing, with only veteran spinner Graeme Cremer maintaining an economy rate below double figures.
Spin Twins Kill the Chase Early
Chasing a record target at a venue where no T20 side had ever overhauled 230, Zimbabwe’s reply collapsed almost immediately.
Akeal Hosein struck in his first over, removing key batter Brian Bennett before dismissing Ryan Burl three balls later.
Fellow left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie then sliced through the middle order, finishing with 4-28 and effectively ending the contest.
Between them, the two spinners claimed seven wickets, tightening the screw as Zimbabwe slipped out of contention inside the powerplay.
Late Fireworks Offer Consolation
With the result beyond doubt, Brad Evans provided late entertainment, blasting 43 from 21 balls with five towering sixes.
He shared a record 10th-wicket World Cup stand of 44 with Richard Ngarava, reducing the margin of defeat but never threatening the outcome.
West Indies’ Momentum Builds
Zimbabwe had entered the match high on confidence after notable wins earlier in the tournament, but they were comprehensively outplayed as West Indies’ batting depth and spin strength proved overwhelming.
Hetmyer also extended his lead as the tournament’s most prolific six-hitter, underlining his central role in the Caribbean side’s campaign.
With another emphatic victory secured, the West Indies’ title push gathers serious momentum — and on this evidence, they look one of the teams to beat.
