Mumbai, Feb 24: Shimron Hetmyer produced a breathtaking display of power-hitting as West Indies crushed Zimbabwe by 107 runs in a Super Eights clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Monday.
Asked to bat first, West Indies unleashed a batting onslaught led by Hetmyer, who hammered a scintillating 85 off just 34 deliveries. The left-hander brought up the fastest fifty by a West Indian in T20 World Cup history, smashing seven sixes and seven fours in a dominant knock that dismantled the Zimbabwe bowling attack.
Riding on his explosive innings, West Indies piled up a mammoth 254 for 6 — the second-highest team total in the history of the T20 World Cup.
Hetmyer found solid support in captain Rovman Powell, with the duo adding 122 runs off just 52 balls for a crucial partnership that put Zimbabwe on the back foot. Powell contributed a brisk 59, complementing Hetmyer’s fireworks.
After both set batters departed, Sherfane Rutherford (31) and Romario Shepherd (21) continued the assault, ensuring the Caribbean side crossed the 250-mark with ease.
In response, Zimbabwe never looked settled in the steep chase and were bowled out for 147 in 17.4 overs. No. 8 batter Brad Evans top-scored with a fighting 43 off 21 balls, but the target proved far beyond reach.
West Indies spinners Gudakesh Motie (4/28) and Akeal Hosein (3/28) shared seven wickets between them, ripping through the Zimbabwe middle and lower order to seal a commanding victory.
The emphatic win strengthens West Indies’ position in the Super Eights stage, with their explosive batting and disciplined bowling sending a strong message to the remaining contenders.