Super Eights: West Indies Dominate Zimbabwe in Mumbai

In Mumbai on Monday, Shai Hope’s team began their Super Eights campaign with a resounding success as the West Indies crushed Zimbabwe, a surprise package for the T20 World Cup, by an overwhelming 107 runs.

The West Indies amassed 254-6, the second-highest total in the tournament’s history, paced by Shimron Hetmyer’s scorching 85 off 34 balls.

Zimbabwe, who advanced to the Super Eights by shocking Australia and Sri Lanka, had a terrible start as they chased an incredible 255.

Akeal Hosein’s left-arm spin claimed two wickets in the third over, reducing them to 20-3, but they never came close.

Brad Evans landed some lustful late blows before being last man out for 43 off 21 balls with five sixes, leaving them all out for 147 in 17.4 overs.

Gudakesh Motie, a left-armer, was the best bowler in the West Indies, scoring 4-28 while finding some quick turns. Hosein scored 3-28.

After winning the toss and choosing to bowl, Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza watched as his bowlers were thrashed all around the Wankhede stadium.

The only team to score more in a T20 World Cup match is Sri Lanka, who defeated Kenya in 2007 with 260-6.

The left-handed Hetmyer was given a life Zimbabwe would later regret, coming in at 17-1.

When the batsman was on nine, Tashinga Musekiwa fumbled a routine catch at deep fine leg.

Hetmyer seized the opportunity, soaring to his fifty off just 19 balls and tying Aiden Markram of South Africa for the tournament’s fastest half-century thus far.

In 45 balls, Hetmyer and Rovman Powell, who entered at 54-2, finished their century stand.

In the fifteenth over, Hetmyer became the third wicket to fall with 176 on the board after they had contributed 122 off 52 balls.

After being dropped by the unfortunate Musekiwa for the second time on 70, Hetmyer was held in the deep by Brian Bennett after hitting seven sixes and seven fours.

Powell was removed shortly after, having hit four sixes and scored 59 from 35 balls.

Taking up the mantle, Sherfane Rutherford scored 31 not out off 13 balls with two sixes, leading his team past 200 and then 250.

As 38 runs were bludgeoned off the last two overs, Jason Holder took 13 off three balls and Romario Shepherd joined in the fun with a smack of 21.