Zimbabwe vs West Indies ICC MT20 WC, 2026, Full Score Card

OUT! TAKEN! Matthew Forde wraps things up finally. WEST INDIES WIN BY 107 RUNS. Forde serves a clever slower delivery, full and on off. Brad Evans looks to slog it across the line, but gets undone by the lack of pace, going through the shot way too early. It takes the top edge and lobs up towards short third, where Akeal Hosein pouches it safely. It is all smiles in the Windies camp as they begin the Super 8s with a massive win.

Right in the blockhole, on middle, Richard Ngarava jams it out to deep mid-wicket for a single and gets Evans back on strike.

WIDE! Tries the bouncer, on middle, but this is too high. Richard Ngarava goes for the pull but misses. Wided.

Good length and on middle, angling in, Richard Ngarava gets behind the line and blocks it out.

Back of a length and around off, Richard Ngarava has a big heave across the line but fails to connect.

Matthew Forde (3-0-25-1) returns into the attack, replacing Jason Holder. Also, Pommie Mbangwa on air mentions that this is the highest 10th wicket partnership in all the T20 World Cups.

SIX! This is incredible batting! Too bad it has come a bit too late. Joseph bangs in a bouncer now, on off. Brad Evans moves to the leg side early. He waits for the ball to arrive and plays the upper cut, timing it nicely as the ball sails over the third man fence for the third six in the over. 18 from this over as well, 36 in the last two.

SIX! Clean strike! A slower delivery from Shamar Joseph, fuller and around leg. Brad Evans backs away early, gets right underneath it and tonks it over the long on fence for half a dozen more.

Pitched up and on the pads as well, Brad Evans glances it to fine leg again. He wants the run but his partner sends him back.

Fuller delivery but down the leg side, Brad Evans clips it way. He times it well but it goes on the bounce to fine leg.

Nails the yorker, on middle and leg. Brad Evans backs away and gets his bat down just in time to dig it out. It goes off the bottom edge towards the short fine region.

SIX! Brad Evans is playing a blinder here! Shamar Joseph serves this full and on middle, at 137.7 clicks. Evans shuffles across early, uses the pace to scoop it well over the fine leg fence for another biggie. He moves to 31 off 15 now.

Shamar Joseph (2-0-17-0) is back on.

Follows it up with a slower bouncer, on off, Brad Evans gets his bat above his head and swats it through mid-wicket for one. 18 runs off the over!

A good wide yorker, outside off, Brad Evans fails to reach out for it.

SIX MORE! Jason Holder getting a taste of his own medicine! This is short again and around middle, sits up nicely for the batter. Brad Evans gets on top of the bounce and absolutely hammers it over the deep square leg fence again for half a dozen more.

SIX! Shows his power this time! Jason Holder bangs this into the pitch again, pace on this time, on middle. Brad Evans picks up the length early, swivels and pulls it with disdain over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

FOUR! Cheeky! Back of a length and around off. Brad Evans bends his back to sway away from the ball. He uses the pace and upper cuts it to the third man fence for a boundary.

WIDE! Spills a low full toss down the leg side, Brad Evans fails to glance it away. Wided.

Bangs in a bouncer, on middle and leg, Brad Evans backs away to pull it away but it is too quick for him.

Change? Nope. Jason Holder (2-0-7-1) to continue.

SIX! Oh..where has that come from? Akeal Hosein gives this one some more air, full and on middle. Richard Ngarava skips down the track to get to the pitch of it and smokes it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. Hosein finishes a superb spell of bowling with figures of 4-1-28-3.

Tossed up, full and on middle, turns in a bit, Richard Ngarava blocks it back to the bowler.

Flatter, full and around off, drifts in, Richard Ngarava pushes it to short cover.

Richard Ngarava is the last man in for Zimbabwe.

OUT! CAUGHT! West Indies are almost there now. Tossed up, on middle and leg, Blessing Muzarabani clears the front leg and has a big swipe across the line. Blessing Muzarabani ends up hitting it miles in the air and just over mid-wicket. Shamar Joseph sprints in from the deep, almost overruns it but slams the brakes and reverse-cups it while sliding.

Nagging length around off, slowed up, Muzarabani watchfully defends it down the pitch.

Full and drifted into the pads, Brad Evans steps out and heaves it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Akeal Hosein (3-1-21-2) to bowl out. A slip in place.

Another dot to end, just a run and two wickets off the last couple of overs. Shortish length aimed at the ribcage, Muzarabani fends it down towards backward square leg.

Very full, angled into the leg stump, Muzarabani blocks it off.

Back of a length again, in the channel, Blessing Muzarabani plays it with an angled bat towards the gully region.

With that wicket, the umpires have called for DRINKS. The result is pretty much inevitable here, but West Indies will want to wrap things up quickly to give themselves the best NRR they can get from this game. While Zimbabwe hope that they can delay the result as long as possible to narrow down the defeat margin. Also, Blessing Muzarabani comes out to the middle now.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Holder plucks it out of thin air like it's nothing. A cross-seam delivery from Jason Holder, on a back of a length and angled into the batter. Graeme Cremer gets cramped for room as he looks to pull and splices it away to the right of the bowler. Holder extends the right arm in the follow-through and pouches it nonchalantly. West Indies are just two wickets away from victory now.

Good-length delivery, slanting in towards middle, Cremer leans on and taps it to the right of the bowler.

Back of a length and outside off, Evans gets on his toes and punches it through covers for one.

A wicket-maiden for Motie to end his spell, which reads 4-1-28-4. Fuller one, darted down leg, Graeme Cremer looks to reverse sweep but misses and gets hit on the boot.

Dragged length outside off, Cremer hops back and taps it well wide of the first slip fielder.

A bit fuller and around off, Graeme Cremer lunges to flick but plays all around it and gets it on the pads again.

Nagging length, angled into the pads, Graeme Cremer fails to get it away.

Into the tail now. Graeme Cremer walks out to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT! That's a sharp take in the deep from Shamar Joseph. Full and flat, drifted into middle and leg, Tony Munyonga sits down and slog sweeps it flat and hard to the right of deep mid-wicket. Shamar takes it low to his right with both hands and Zimbabwe lose their 7th wicket. Best figures for Gudakesh Motie in T20Is as well, as mentioned by Ian Bishop on air.

Rovman Powell is off the field at the moment, not sure why. Roston Chase is the substitute fielder for him.

Oh, how has that missed the stumps? Drifted in, full and towards middle, turning away. Tony Munyonga has a wild swing across the line but misses and the ball just whizzes past the outside edge.

Goes short, outside off, Brad Evans walks down a couple of steps, shapes up for a pull shot, but the ball bounces above his angled bat.

FOUR! Helped away! Holder errs in both line and length. Full and on the leg stump line. Brad Evans gets slightly across and uses the pace to tickle it toward the deep fine leg fence. 100 UP FOR ZIMBABWE!

Shortish ball, on top of the stumps, Tony Munyonga mistimes the pull shot, but the ball lands in the vacant mid-wicket region for a single.

Full and on off, Brad Evans pushes it down to the left of mid on for a single.

Fires one full and around off, Evans attempts the scoop shot by shuffling across the stumps. Only to get a thick outside edge as the ball rolls to backward point.

Starts with a short ball, slanting into the batter. Brad stands tall and nudges it to the right of the bowler.

Jason Holder to bowl for the first time in this game in the 12th over.

Tony tries to sweep this full ball to the leg side, but it keeps drifting into the batter and beats the bat and pings his back pad.

Hat trick averted. Full and around middle at 91.9 kph. Evans shuffles across and paddle sweeps it down to deep fine leg for a single.

Who will face the hat-trick ball? It will be Brad Evans. Two slips in place as well.

OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! Motie continues to make merry at the Wankhede. He is loving this surface and is on a hat-trick. He pushes it through, full and aims the off pole. It is a bit quicker than the previous delivery, on a flatter trajectory that sucks Tashinga Musekiwa onto the front foot. He tries to push it to the off side, but the ball beats his outside edge and smashes into the off pole. Zimbabwe are it tatters now, slipping down to 94/6.

Zimbabwe lose half their side now. Tashinga Musekiwa, whose couple of drops costed his team dearly, is the next man in. Can he make up with the bat?

OUT! BOWLED! Absolutely outfoxed as Motie removes the Zimbabwean skipper. Motie stays around the stumps and dishes out a fuller length ball, on middle. It pitches, holds and grips away from the batter just so slightly. Sikandar Raza plants his front foot out to push it away, but plays inside the line, anticipating the ball to drift into him, but it spins past his blade and crashes into the stumps. A gem of a delivery from Motie as he has his second wicket. Zimbabwe are 94/5, chasing 255.

SIX! Clean as a whistle! Wide outside off, on a fuller length. Sikandar Raza crouches, gets under the ball nicely and launches it handsomely over wide long off for six runs.

Darts it in, full on leg, Tony slog sweeps it off the inner half to deep square leg for a run.

Zimbabwe have just started to find their feet but it is more about damage control right now and if they manage to take things deep, then have a free swing at it. Gudakesh Motie to continue...

Hits the deck hard, on middle and leg, following the batter as Tony Munyonga shuffles outside leg. He punches it to the left of the cover fielder for a single. After 10 overs, Zimbabwe are 87/4.

Hard length, angled at the pads, Sikandar Raza tucks it to deep square leg for a single.

SIX! Excellent shot! Shamar keeps following the batter, short at shoulder height. Sikandar Raza duck-pulls it off the back foot. Controls the shot nicely and manages to clear the deep backward square leg fence for a biggie.

He advances down the track and Shamar bangs one short, on leg. Tony Munyonga uses his wrists to flick it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

WIDE! Good heat! Too straight down the leg side though. It lands, kicks up and keeps flying behind to the keeper, beating Tony's attempted pull shot. Wide called.

Short, follows the batter, on the leg stump line. Sikandar Raza shuffles a bit and knocks it through the vacant mid-wicket region for a single.

On a back of a length, outside off, Tony Munyonga dabs it to deep third for a single.

In the air... lands safely! Touch short, around the off pole, Tony Munyonga hangs back and looks to smoke it downtown, but ends up slicing it in the air, over mid off. Brandon King backtracks from the inner ring, and Jason Holder charges in off the ropes from long off. But the ball lands exactly in the middle of both the converging fielders for a single.

Fires it on a length, on off, Raza presses back and punches it to long off for a single.

Very full, on off, Tony Munyonga carves it in front of square on the off side for a single.

SIX! Gets all of it! Drops it full and in front of the middle pole. Tony Munyonga gets down on his knee and slog sweeps it into the stands behind deep mid-wicket.

Quicker and flatter, short, on leg, Sikandar Raza knocks it off the back foot to long on for a single.

Short, outside off, Raza tries to find the gap on the off side, but cuts it straight to the cover-point fielder.

Play and a miss! Hard-length delivery, on the fifth stump line, skids through. Tony Munyonga looks to run it down to third man but the ball zips past the outside edge.

Bangs in a quick and sharp bouncer, on middle, takes off a bit. Tony Munyonga ducks under it.

Pitched up and follows the batter into the leg side. Sikandar Raza gets cramped up for room and works it to deep square leg for one.

FOUR! Put away! Shamar Joseph lands this just back of a length and around off. Sikandar Raza backs away and throws the kitchen sink at it. Scythes it away towards the deep backward point fence for a boundary.

Goes fuller and on middle, angling in once again. Tony Munyonga fails to flick and the ball deflects off his pads through square leg for another leg bye.

Good length but angling down the leg side. Tony Munyonga looks to heave it away but misses as the ball goes off his thigh pad wide of fine leg. Two leg byes taken.

A double change in the bowling for West Indies. Shamar Joseph comes in to replace Matthew Forde.

FOUR! Just over! This is short again and outside off. Sikandar Raza makes room to cut but gets a thickish outside edge. It flies over the leaping Shamar Joseph at backward point and rolls to the fence for another boundary.

Flatter, full and on middle and leg. Tony Munyonga goes down and just about manages to swipe it to deep backward square leg for one.

A wicket right after the break for Zimbabwe and it is the set batter who walks off. Tony Munyonga is the next batter in.

OUT! TIMBER! A response of the highest order by Gudakesh Motie. He floats it up, full and on middle and leg, does not turn much. Dion Myers looks to clip it across the line and plays for the inward spin, closing his bat face a bit too early. The ball sneaks past the bat and rattles the stumps behind. Zimbabwe are 52/4, needing 203 runs in 80 balls.

FOUR! Gets it away! Gudakesh Motie drags his length back and around off. Dion Myers hangs back and flat-bats it past the bowler, to the long off fence for a boundary. Also, 50 up for Zimbabwe.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Dion Myers knocks it to the right of the bowler.

Shorter in length and outside off, Sikandar Raza slaps it to sweeper cover for a single.

DRINKS BREAK. Zimbabwe have lost their top three inside the restriction, but 22 runs in the last 2 overs have brought some calm and a bit of momentum. Dion Myers has looked positive with his intent, while Raza has had a scratchy start. But as long as he is at the crease, he will keep the fight on. 208 needed from 84 ball is the equation and Zimbabwe cannot afford to slow down if they are to even get anywhere close to the target they are chasing. The Consolidation Phase begins, which goes from overs 7-14. This is exactly the period where West Indies just went into an overdrive through that Hetmyer-Powell alliance. Can Zimbabwe find that kind of a partnership in this middle phase? Let's see. Gudakesh Motie has been introduced into the attack, replacing Akeal Hosein.

Pitched up and on middle and leg, Sikandar Raza knocks it to mid on for one more. Zimbabwe are 47/3 at the end of the Powerplay!

Slower delivery, short of a length and on middle, Dion Myers pulls it to deep square leg for one.

On a length and on leg, Sikandar Raza misses his flick as the ball goes off his pads and drops behind the strip on the leg side. The batters sneak in a leg bye.

Big swing and a miss! Touch fuller and around off, holds its line. Sikandar Raza uses his feet and has a wild swing across the line. Loses his shape and only connects with thin air.

Hits the length hard and on off, Dion Myers punches it to extra cover for a single.

SIX! What a shot! Matthew Forde just lands this back of a length and around off. Dion Myers skips down the track, stays leg side of the ball and carves it beautifully over the deep extra cover fence for a biggie.

WIDE! Fuller delivery but going down the leg side, Dion Myers misses his flick. Called a wide.

Fires this one full and on middle, with a bit of in-drift. Dion Myers drills it to long off for one.

SIX! BOOM! That has gone miles. Tossed up, full and on the leg stump line. Dion Myers goes down on one knee and executes the slog sweep to perfection over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Pushed through quicker, shortish and on middle. Dion Myers looks to drive it on the up but gets an outside edge along the ground to short third.

Flighted, full and around off, Dion Myers strides out and pushes it to cover.

EDGED AND FOUR! Flatter arm ball, short and on middle, angling in. Dion Myers backs away to cut it, but gets an outside edge. It just flies wide of the diving first slip fielder, to the third man fence for a boundary.

Floated, full and on leg, Dion Myers tucks it in front of short mid-wicket.

Will Hosein continue? He surely will. 2-1-10-2 are his bowling figures so far.

Right off the cue end and Raza just can't get off the mark here. Just back of a length and around off, Raza leans back to pull, but the ball goes off the cue end of the bat and rolls back to the bowler.

Pitched up fuller and on off, nips in a touch. Raza leans forward but nearly gets yorked, managing to push it out on the off side.

Fuller than a good length, slipped into the pads, Raza gets inside the line but again, he fails to get it away.

Hammered on a good length, shaping away from off. Myers hangs back to swing it on the leg side but gets an inside edge down to short fine leg. They pick up a single.

FOUR! SHOT! Not as full as the last one, still well outside off. Dion Myers leans across, keeps his shape and just strokes it to the right of the cover fielder for a boundary.

Beaten! Full and wide outside off, Dion Myers reaches out to drive but fails to lay a bat on it, getting beaten past the outside edge.

A double-wicket maiden from Hosein! Dragged length, drifted into the pads, Raza fails to work it away, wearing it on the pads. Still, 235 needed, now off 102 deliveries.

Good length, darted across the right-hander now, Sikandar Raza hangs back and dabs it down to backward point.

The chase has badly nosedived for the Chevrons even before taking off completely. The skipper, Sikandar Raza, makes his way to the crease at number 5.

OUT! TAKEN! You simply cannot keep Shimron Hetmyer out of the game. Two catches dropped off him while batting, and now he takes a couple of catches early on to pile on the misery. Akeal Hosein entices the batter as he floats it up full on middle and leg, asking the batter to take him on. Ryan Burl sits down to slog sweep and it is there to be hit as well but he hits it flat towards deep square leg, where Hetmyer comes forward and takes a fine low catch.

Flat and full again, darted across off, Ryan Burl leans on and eases it to mid off. Looks for the single but won't get it.

Fired in, full and straight, pushed back to the bowler.

Beaming smiles in the West Indies camp as they have got rid of both the Zimbabwean openers. In walks Ryan Burl at number 4 to bail his side out of trouble.

OUT! TIMBER! That's a beauty from Akeal Hosein and for the first time in this tournament, Brian Bennett gets out. Nicely tossed up, very straight and full, dips right on the popping crease. Bennett takes the front leg out and goes for the slog across the line but is beaten in flight and plays all around it. The ball sneaks past the bat to hit the top of off, and Zimbabwe have lost both openers in the first 13 deliveries.

West Indies have their first breakthrough. Just the start they needed. Dion Myers walks in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! Shimron Hetmyer doesn't make any mistake this time and Matthew Forde strikes in his first over. Forde immediately pulls the length back and bowls it outside off. Tadiwanashe Marumani looks to swivel and pull but the ball flies off the top edge and down to the right of deep backward point. Hetmyer moves to his right, goes on one knee and pouches it nicely. 235 needed now off 108 balls.

FOUR! Oopsie, another lapse in the field from the Windies. Length ball at the stumps, punched away firmly to the left of mid off. Gudakesh Motie slides across the turf but misses the ball and ends up deflecting it off his knee and into the long on fence.

Back of a length, angles back in sharply, Brian Bennett gets hurried on the pull and gets an inside edge that runs off the body and behind square leg for one.

Bennett shows his cards early and shuffles past the off stump. He looks for the scoop, but Forde follows him wide outside off with a full ball. Bennett misses and gets hit on the pads.

FOUR! In the air and past the fielder. Hard length in the channel, Bennett hangs back and has a swoosh at it, slicing it to the left of a diving Shamar Joseph at point for a boundary.

Oh, that could have easily crashed into the leg pole. A bit fuller in length, on middle and this one swings back in. Brian Bennett backs away to open up the off side but is beaten past the inside edge and luckily for him, the ball misses the leg stump as well.

WIDE. A bit of a false start from Forde. Good-length delivery, angled down the leg side, Bennett misses the flick and a wide is called.

Pace from the other end. Here's Matthew Forde into the attack.

SIX! That's gone all the way. Fuller and straighter, Marumani goes on one knee, gets under the ball and sweeps it high over the backward square leg fence for a six. 10 off the first over of the chase.

Flatter delivery around off, Marumani stays put and jus taps it towards cover.

Length ball, lobbed up outside off, pushed away to covers.

FOUR! Undone by the spin, is Shimron Hetmyer. Tossed up on the stumps, Marumani sits down and sweeps it flat towards deep backward square leg. Hetmyer runs to his left and ends up overrunning the ball, conceding a boundary as well. Zimbabwe are underway.

Fullish length, in and around off, Tadiwanashe Marumani goes across to sweep it fine but misses and wears it on the pads. There's half an appeal for LBW, turned down. The bowler and the captain have a quick chat and the review is taken. No bat involved and Ball Tracking shows that the impact is outside the line of off. It always looked like it as Marumani had lunged across to the off side. West Indies burn an early review.

Starts with a length ball, sliding it across the left-hander, Tadiwanashe Marumani taps it behind point.

FOUR! 18 from the final over. Length ball, wide of off. Rutherford goes after it with a full-blooded slash, gets a thick outside edge, and it flies over backward point, and races away to the fence. WEST INDIES FINISH STRONGLY ON 254/6.

Big swing and a miss! Keeps it away from the hitting zone, full and outside off, Sherfane Rutherford looks to spank it downtown, but fails to put his bat on the ball.

WIDE! Tries the wide yorker, but pushes it beyond the tramline, outside off, Sherfane leaves. 250 UP FOR WEST INDIES!

On a length outside off, the off-cutter grips a touch. Forde shuffles across, clears the front leg and swings hard, but only manages to drag it off the inside half to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Matthew Forde is the new batter.

OUT! TAKEN! Pace off does the trick for Blessing Muzarabani. He bowls a slower one, into the pitch, on off. It lands, bounces and nips away from the right-hander. Jason Holder is too early into the shot, attempting to slap it over the off side with a cross batted angle, but gets outfoxed due to lack of pace. Plays a half hearted shot down towards long off. The ball dips in front of Tony Munyonga but he dives in front to scoop the ball before the grass.

SIX! POWERFUL! Short in length, on off, at a comfortable height for the towering Jason Holder. He stands tall, clears the front leg to give himself some room and heaves it powerfully over deep mid-wicket for a huge six. Holder is winning the 'battle of the giants', thus far.

SIX! STRAIGHT AS AN ARROW! Tries the yorker, but it lands as a juicy half volley, on middle. Jason Holder goes deep inside the crease to set a good base for himself and smokes it downtown for a cracking six.

SIX! Sails just over the fielder in the deep. Ngarava slips in a low full toss at knee height, outside off. Sherfane Rutherford lofts it with superb timing and clears the leaping deep cover fielder for a six. 20 runs from the penultimate over and this is now the second-highest score in the history of Men's T20 World Cups.

Slower bouncer, on top of off, angling into the batter. Holder stands tall and pulls it on the bounce to deep mid-wicket for a single.

The next batter is in. It is Jason Holder in at number 7. Also, Sikandar Raza is currently off the field, icing his fingers, which seem to have swollen up a bit. Not a good sign for Zimbabwe because they will, in all likeliness need him with the bat. It seems like Ryan Burl is the acting skipper for Zimbabwe at the moment.

OUT! HIGH IN THE AIR AND GONE! Wicket number 2 for Richard Ngarava. He bowls it full and on the stumps. Romario Shepherd tries to pump it downtown for another biggie, but does not manage to get his bat under the ball properly. Goes through the shot, slicing it off the toe end. The ball kisses the moon and descends towards the long off fielder where Ryan Burl has to wait for an eternity to take the catch. He takes it around his right thigh. A quickfire cameo comes to an end from Romario Shepherd. West Indies are 229/5.

SIX! It's raining sixes at the Wankhede! Ngarava goes pace off, full and on off, from around the stump. Romario Shepherd waits for it and launches it powerfully over the long off fence for an enormous six.

SIX! Brute force! Richard angles it outside off, on a shortish length. Romario Shepherd slashes it aerially and the ball sails wide and over deep third for one more six. This time, it is just 62 meters.

An attempted yorker, on middle, Sherfane Rutherford slices it out through backward point for a run.

Yorker at pace, outside off, Romario Shepherd tries to carve it away to the off side, but inside edges it onto the boots as the ball rolls on the pitch. Top over at this stage of the match.

SIX! Effortless! Evans goes pace off, on off, on a good length, Romario Shepherd clears the front leg, waits for the ball to arrive and bludgeons it cleanly over long on for another half a dozen. 94 METERS!

A sharp bumper, just outside off, Romario Shepherd is hurried for the pull shot and misses to connect.

Pace off, on a length, Romario tries to pull, but inside edges onto the pads.

Back of a length, on middle, Sherfane cuts it to deep backward point for a single.

Nails the yorker in, on off, Romario Shepherd jams the bat down in the nick of time and gets an inside edge to the leg side, to the backward square leg region. Shepherd does not realise where the ball is and charges late, seeing Rutherford sprinting for a single. The keeper collects the ball and throws it to the bowling end, but misses and Shepherd gets in with a dive.

Brad Evans (3-0-38-1) returns to the attack.

SIX! Geez, that's a big hit! A touch short, on leg, Sherfane Rutherford picks the length in a trice, gets on the back foot, and pulls it massively behind deep square leg for a six. A wicket and 14 runs from Blessing's third over.

FOUR! Such a nice shot! Wide on off, on a good length, Sherfane Rutherford stays put, lets his hands do it all. Reaches for it and cuts it to deep backward point for a cracking four. Quick hands from Rutherford. 200 comes up for West Indies now.

Around off, on a length, jags back in. Romario Shepherd arches back and uses the pace to guide the ball to deep third for a single.

WIDE! A bit too straight down leg, full in length, Shepherd gets across, tries to whip it to the leg side, but misses.

On a hard length, on off, Sherfane steers it to deep point's left for a single.

Well-directed short ball, at shoulder height, Romario pulls it to deep backward square leg for a run.

There's the answer as Blessing strikes on the very first ball of his new spell. Romario Shepherd is the next batter in at number 6.

OUT! TAKEN! Musekiwa finally holds on to one now. Blessing Muzarabani strikes right after returning to the attack. He hits the hard length, on middle, nips back in from the pitch. Rovman Powell swivels on the back foot and tries to pull over deep square leg, but mistimes it due to the pace and bounce. It sails to the left of Tashinga Musekiwa who runs in that direction, almost overruns but manages to stay calm and takes it with a reverse cup. West Indies are 194/4.

Blessing Muzarabani (2-0-10-0) is finally back into the attack. Did Zimbabwe make a mistake by holding back two of his overs for the death phase? Let's find out.

FOUR! The extra ball costs Raza! He pushes this through quicker, short and around off. Sherfane Rutherford uses the width on offer, gets his hands through the shot and carves it past extra cover for a boundary. 50 up for Raza.

Dragged back, on middle, Rovman Powell moves back and flat-bats it to long on for one. Uh, oh! The siren goes off and Raza has overstepped here. No Ball called and a Free Hit is up next.

Fires this one full and outside off, angling away. Rovman Powell looks to swing it down the ground but fails to reach it.

Drops it short and outside off, Sherfane Rutherford cuts it away to deep point for another run.

Oh, no, no, no! Sikandar Raza has taken a fiery blow and thankfully, he managed to get his hands in front of his face. However, the way the ball hit the fingers, it was nasty. Rovman Powell has a quick check on him, after which the physio comes out as well. Eventually, Raza is fine to get back to proceedings and complete the over but the two fingers at the end of his left hand are taped up now.

Oh...that must have hurt! A low full toss, on middle, Rovman Powell thrashes it really hard down the pitch. It travels so fast that Raza could only get his left hand up and the ball deflects away towards long off. They cross. Good to see Powell going up to Raza and showing some concern.

SIX! There is no stopping Rovman Powell! Sikandar Raza bowls this with the low-arm action, full and around leg. Powell gets his front leg out of the way and smokes it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Arm ball, shortish and angling into leg, Sherfane Rutherford works it off the inner half of the bat through square leg for a single.

Sikandar Raza (2-0-37-0) is back on.

Slows it up, shortish and on middle, Sherfane Rutherford stays back and clips it to deep square leg for one more.

Flatter, full and outside off, Rovman Powell drills it to sweeper cover for one.

Shorter and on leg, Sherfane Rutherford moves back and nudges it through square leg for a run.

Hetmyer goes out and in walks Sherfane Rutherford at number 5.

OUT! TAKEN! Graeme Cremer finally gets the much-needed breakthrough for Zimbabwe. End of a mammoth partnership, 122 runs off just 52 balls. Cremer tosses up a googly, full and on middle, does not turn much. Shimron Hetmyer comes down the track to heave it across the line, but plays for the turn in and ends up hitting it from the inner half of the bat. It flies wide of deep mid-wicket, where Brian Bennett runs to his left, dives and takes his second fantastic catch of the game. Hettie departs for a fabulous 85 off 34, and to a huge applause from the Mumbai crowd.

SIX! All the way! Tossed up, full and on off. Shimron Hetmyer gets down on one knee, nails the slog sweep over the long on fence for a biggie.

FIFTY FOR ROVMAN POWELL! A fiery knock from him and it has come in just 29 balls. This is floated, short and around off, Rovman Powell swats it to long on for a single.

DRINKS BREAK. Absolute mayhem at the Wankhede from Hetmyer and Powell. The last three overs have gone for 49 runs, and the signs are looking very, very ominous for Zimbabwe if they don't get a breakthrough now. Even 250 is well and truly on cards if West Indies go about at the same rate. Powell started off a bit slow, but the moment he found the rhythm, he has been unstoppable, even making Hetmyer starved for strike who is batting on 79 off just 32 balls. These two will look to consolidate further and take Zimbabwe completely out of the game with a mammoth score. Graeme Cremer (3-0-28-0) is back on.

Back of a length and around off, Rovman Powell steers it towards short third and scampers across for a quick one. Back-to-back 19-run overs!

FOUR MORE! The runs just keep flowing in Mumbai! A bouncer, on middle and leg, pace on. Rovman Powell goes for the pull but gets a top edge now, which flies over short fine for four more runs.

FOUR! Not where he intended to hit but gets the desired result! Brad Evans decides to go fuller this time, outside off, keeping it away from the batter. Rovman Powell tries to go big down the ground but gets a thin outside edge tha flies over short third for a boundary.

On a length and around the leg stump line, Rovman Powell nudges it off his hips through backward square leg for a brace.

WIDE! Pulls his length back but down the leg side, takes pace off. Rovman Powell lets it go. Wided.

SIX! Rovman Powell has taken over the role of aggressor now! This is pitched up and on off, slower as well. Powell picks it early, waits for it before dispatching it over the long off fence for half a dozen more. That also brings up the 100-RUN STAND between these two batters.

Fuller one and on middle, Shimron Hetmyer knocks it down to long on for a single.

Brad Evans to continue. 2-0-19-1 so far.

SIX! Going, going, gone! Dion Myers misses the yorker and serves this right in the slot, on off. Rovman Powell just extends his arms to reach out for it and launches it high and handsomely, into the second tier over the long off fence for a biggie. 106 METERS! That monstrous six rockets West Indies to 150, the quickest a team has reached that mark in this edition, as Pommie Mbangwa informs on air.

Back of a length and on off, Shimron Hetmyer punches it through covers for a run.

WIDE! On a length but once again outside the tramline. Shimron Hetmyer lets it go. Another wide called.

That's absolutely smashed but just for one! Pitched up and around off, Rovman Powell smacks the leather out of the ball but hits it too well and straight to long off. Just a single.

FOUR! The boundaries keep flowing! Dion Myers bangs this into the pitch, on middle, slower again. Rovman Powell rocks back a bit and pulls it away. He does not get all of it but finds the gap between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a boundary.

Hard length and on off, Shimron Hetmyer swats it down to long on for a single.

FOUR! Streaky but they all count! Short of a length and outside off, takes pace off. Shimron Hetmyer slashes hard at it. Gets an outside edge that flies over short third for a boundary.

WIDE! Not the ideal start! Good length but way, way outside off. Shimron Hetmyer leaves it alone. Wided.

Zimbabwe are in search of a breakthrough and Raza brings on Dion Myers into the attack. He replaces Graeme Cremer.

Back of a length and over middle, Powell rocks back to pull but gets an under edge back onto the pads.

SIX! Oh, that's a fine shot! Hammered into the pitch a bit and angled into the batter, Rovman Powell just hangs back and whips it away, nailing it over deep mid-wicket for another biggie. Ironically, someone in the crowd holds onto the catch.

Very full and outside off, jammed down to mid off for a quick single.

Hard length on leg, thuds the pads and rolls behind square leg for a leg bye.

DROPPED, AGAIN! Same fielder again as well. Can you believe it? Brad Evans comes around the wicket to the left-hander and bowls a slingy delivery on a fullish length and angles it in from around off. Shimron Hetmyer leans across to get under it and goes for the big heave. Ends up skying it high towards deep mid-wicket, where Tashinga Musekiwa settles under it but puts down an absolute sitter. They get a single as well. Reprieve for Hetmyer on 9 and 70.

Excellent running. Good length over off, hits the bat high, Rovman Powell just bunts it in front of cover and races through for the single.

WIDE. A loosener to start the new spell from Evans. Full and spilled down the leg side for an extra.

Brad Evans (1-0-9-1) returns into the attack, replacing Sikandar Raza.

Full and flat, outside off, Powell comes forward and just shows the full face of the blade, punching it down to long off for a single. Just 5 off it.

Floated up, on a dragged length and around middle, Powell pushes it to the right of the bowler.

A mishit but it will land safely. Good length around off, Powell looks to rock back and loft it straight but is a bit undone by the extra bounce. The ball goes to the right of long off, and they pick up a couple of runs.

Floated up, on middle and leg, Hetmyer goes on one knee and sweeps it to deep square leg for just a single this time.

Slightly dragged length, around middle, knocked down to long on for a single.

Swing and a miss! Tossed up, full ad outside off, this one turns square. Rovman Powell has a wild slog across the line but is beaten by a mile.

West Indies are 115/2 at the halfway stage. With 8 wickets still in hand, and Shimron Hetmyer going after everything, 200 is very much on the cards for them. Zimbabwe desperateley need a breakthrough here, but their spinners have not been able to make an impact so far.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Short and wide outside off, Shimron Hetmyer hangs back and cuts it hard, between backward point and short third for yet another boundary. Sikandar Raza has gone for 37 runs in his 2 overs so far.

Fired in, full and at the stumps, Powell charges down the pitch and drills it to long on for one.

A big appeal for LBW, turned down. Sikandar Raza has a word with his keeper and takes the review. The third umpire is called in but UltraEdge quickly confirms that there was an inside edge before the ball hit the pads. Coming to the delivery, this was bowled slightly seam-up and a bit fuller on middle. Rovman Powell looked to block it down the pitch but got an inside edge onto the pads.

Pushed across the left-hander again, cut away to deep point for a single this time.

FOUR! Shimron Hetmyer shows his precision now. A tad short and outside off, Shimron Hetmyer hangs back and cuts it behind point and the ball races away to the fence.

WIDE. Quicker again, spilled down the leg side.

SIX! The quicker Raza bowls, the further Shimron Hetmyer sends the ball right now. Fired in flatter and on a length around off and middle, Hettie rocks back and clobbers the ball over deep mid-wicket for a 101-meter biggie. The 100 comes up for West Indies. This also brings up the 50-run partnership between Powell and Hetmyer.

Change? No, Sikandar Raza continues even after going for 20 runs in his first over.

Beautifully bowled! A leg break, lands it on middle and gets the ball to grip and spin away sharply. Powell plays completely down the wrong line and the ball beats the outside edge by a long way.

A bit of hesitation between the two batters. Full ad outside off, Rovman Powell pushes it away to point and looks for the single but is sent back.

Nicely flighted, a bit full and around off, Powell opts to block it off.

FOUR! That's raw power from Powell! Dragged way too short and over middle, Rovman Powell rocks back and muscles the pull wide of deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Short and around off, at 83.9 kph. Hetmyer goes across on his back foot and punches it down to long on for one.

Dishes out a googly on leg, full in length, clipped to short fine leg for a single.

In line of the stumps, full in length, Shimron Hetmyer presses in front and dinks it to the left of the bowler.

SIX! FIFTY FOR SHIMRON HETMYER! Off just 19 balls. Absolute mayhem from Hettie at the Wankhede. Pushed full and around off. Hetmyer gets down and sweeps it over the deep square leg fence for another biggie to get to his milestone. With this, as per the on air commentators, Hetmyer now has the record for scoring the fastest T20 World Cup half century for West Indies.

WIDE! On a length, down the leg stump line, Hetmyer looks to sweep, but misses.

SIX! 'Catch it' is the cry, but it sails over. Hetmyer is looking absolutely unstoppable. Raza feeds it on a fuller length, on middle, drifting into the batter. Shimron Hetmyer gets properly under it and whips it nonchalantly over deep square leg. The fielder can only watch it sail over his head.

Nice and full, on middle, Hetmyer pushes it gently back to Sikandar.

SIX! POWERFUL AND IMPERIOUS! Raza shortens the length, on middle, from around the stump. Shimron Hetmyer gets deep into the crease and nails the pull shot behind deep mid-wicket for a 91-meter biggie.

Flat and full, on the off stump, Powell pushes it wide of cover for a single.

Spin from both ends? Yes, Sikandar Raza brings himself into the attack now.

SIX! Even better! Tossed up full and around off, Shimron Hetmyer clears the front leg, gets down on his knee and slog sweeps it over wide long on for a huge six. 17 runs off the over.

SIX! KABOOM! Right into the slot, full and on leg, Shimron Hetmyer advances down the track and slogs it over deep mid-wicket for a massive 93-meter six.

Full on the stumps, pushed down to long on for a single.

Good length on the leg stump line. This is tucked off the backfoot through square leg. Muzarabani chases it from short fine leg. One taken.

Fractionally full, on the leg stump line. Shimron Hetmyer gets down on his knee and pulls it to the right of short fine leg. Tashinga Musekiwa from deep square leg rushes to his left and dives to palm the ball back in. It almost ricochets onto the ropes behind, but Musekiwa recovers pretty well and quickly enough to save two for his side.

Begins with a leg break, on leg, on a length, Powell hangs back and nudges it wide of square leg for a single.

The fielding restrictions are lifted and Zimbabwe straightaway bring on a spinner. Graeme Cremer comes in to replace Richard Ngarava.

A touch full at 132.5 kph​, Rovman Powell flicks it to deep square leg for a run. West Indies end their Powerplay with 55/2 on the board.

DRINKS! Talk about Zimbabwe's catching in the deep and Brian Bennett simply doesn't miss a chance. West Indies have gotten off to a bit of a flier but Zimbabwe will be decently pleased as they have sent both openers packing inside the Powerplay. Shimron Hetmyer, though, has come out all guns blazing and with him already getting a life thanks to a dropped catch, he will be key as we head into the middle overs. Zimbabwe will hope that their spinners get a bit of grip and extra bounce off this Wankhede surface. With that said, Rovman Powell walks out to bat now.

OUT! CAUGHT! A screamer of a catch from Brian Bennett and the Chevrons have now dismissed both the openers of West Indies. Evans takes all the pace off by rolling his fingers on the leather. Hits the hard length, over middle and off. Shai Hope swings slightly early to pull it over the leg side, and gets no timing or power due to the lack of pace. Loses his shape as he pulls it aerially toward the left of deep mid-wicket. Brian Bennett comes sprinting across, tracks the ball nicely, dives to his left and takes a fantastic catch. West Indies are 54/2.

That last ball was a very marginal call as seen on the replays and Brad Evans wasn't happy with the wide call either.

WIDE! Just outside the tramline, on the off side, full in length. Hope lets it be.

FOUR! Hope is finding his rhythm gradually. That in-between length, around off, Shai Hope transfers his weight on the back foot and muscles it to deep extra cover for a cracking boundary. 50 up for West Indies!

In the air... just over! A well-directed short ball, nips away from off with extra bounce. Shai Hope is a bit late on the pull shot and mistimes it off the toe end of the bat. However, he manages to clear mid on for a couple of runs.

On a good length, on middle, Shimron Hetmyer heaves it off the inner half to the left of deep mid-wicket for an easy single.

Starts from around the stumps. On a length, angling in and around off, Shimron Hetmyer stays put and bunts it down the pitch.

Richard Ngarava might have gotten an early wicket, but he never looked settled with his lines. The decision to extend his spell has backfired for Zimbabwe and West Indies are now flying high. Brad Evans was seen getting loose in the last over and he does come on to bowl as well, replacing Blessing Muzarabani.

FOUR! Timed to perfection. A bit ordinary from Ngarava. Hard length, outside off, Shai Hope stands tall and nails the back foot punch through the mid off and cover gap for a boundary. 17 runs from the over.

Swing and a miss! On a back of a length with extra bounce, angling across the batter. Shai Hope arches back to hit it over covers, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

The slower one, on off, Shimron Hetmyer pushes it to the left of the mid off fielder. There is a slight hesitation but they both decide to cross over. Raza dives to collect the ball and has a shy at the bowling end, but misses. Hetmyer puts in a desperate dive to get in.

FOUR! Hetmyer is looking ominous here! Richard goes short and on top of middle and leg. Shimron Hetmyer presses back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a cracking four.

FOUR! Into the gap! A bit too wide outside off, on a good length, Hetmyer slashes it like a knife and finds the gap through backward point and short third for a boundary.

FOUR LEG BYES! Richard goes short and aims the bodyline, nips in a touch as well. Shimron is rushed on the pull shot, misses. The ball deflects off his body and goes between the keeper and the short fine leg fielder and races to the fence.

Time for a bowling change? No, not yet. Richard Ngarava to bowl three overs on the trot here.

Good running! Fuller one and on middle, shaping in. Shai Hope once again makes room to go over covers but gets an inside edge towards deep fine. The batters see the fielder just being a bit casual and steal the second run.

On a length and on off, Shai Hope pushes it towards extra cover.

Swing and a miss! Good length and on middle, nips back in sharply. Shai Hope backs away and looks to go over mid off but misses.

DROPPED ON 9! A massive moment in this game! This is banged into the pitch, on middle and leg. Shimron Hetmyer gets inside the line of it to heave it with his front leg up, but does not get the elevation. It flies flat and in the air towards deep backward square leg, where Tashinga Musekiwa moves to his left, gets low but spills it out. Hettie takes a sigh of relief. A single taken as well.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Blessing Muzarabani bowls this short and down the leg side, a hit-me ball. Shimron Hetmyer swivels and just helps it over the short fine leg fielder for a boundary.

Back of a length and outside off, Shimron Hetmyer tries to cut it away but chops it down to the off side.

Hard-length delivery, outside off. Shimron Hetmyer looks to push it away but gets a thick outside edge that flies towards deep third for one. 15 runs and a wicket from the over!

FOUR! Gets off the mark in style! Fuller delivery, on middle, angling in. Shimron Hetmyer picks it up, brings his wrists into play and flicks it over mid-wicket for a lovely boundary.

Another classic Zimbabwean dismissal in this tournament. They put the fielders in the deep and force the batters to take them on and Brandon King has fallen into the trap here. Shimron Hetmyer walks in at number 3.

OUT! TAKEN! Richard Ngarava has the last laugh here. He bangs this into the pitch, around leg, takes pace off again, delivering at 101.3 kph. Brandon King backs away to hook it but the ball just gets a bit big on him and does not have room to free his arms. He ends up hitting it flat and aerially straight to deep backward square leg, where Tashinga Musekiwa does not have to move and takes a good catch with a reverse cup. King cannot believe he has found the fielder but he has to go back for yet another low score in this World Cup.

Nice change of pace! Richard Ngarava sees the batter back away, lands this on a hard length, on middle and leg, takes pace off. Brandon King makes room but only manages to stab it out to short extra cover.

SIX! BANG! That is a top shot. Short of a length and on middle, sits up nicely for the batter. Brandon King opens up his stance, climbs onto the ball and whacks it over the deep mid-wicket fence for the first biggie of the match.

FOUR LEG BYES! Richard Ngarava is still struggling with his line here. He bowls this fuller but down the leg side, begging to be put away. Brandon King fails to get bat on that but it deflects off his pads and to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

A couple of very quiet overs to begin with. It seems like West Indies are looking to see off Blessing Muzarabani and target someone else. Too early to know for certain, though. Here's Richard Ngarava to continue...

Short of a length and on middle, angling into the body of the batter. Shai Hope gets cramped up for room and can only pat it down the pitch.

Pitched up and on middle and leg, Brandon King drills it to the left of mid on for one.

BEAUTY! Blessing Muzarabani serves this full and in that channel outside off, hits the deck and nibbles away a shy bit. Brandon King, without moving his feet, pushes at it with hard hands, only to get beaten on the outside edge.

Lands this on a good length and on off, Shai Hope knocks it off the bottom half of the bat towards mid on. He calls late for the run but makes his ground with a dive to the other end. The fielder also missed his shy at the stumps.

Back of a length and on off, Brandon King has a wild heave across the line. Gets it from the toe-end of the bat as the ball rolls to deep fine leg for a single.

Right on the money! Blessing Muzarabani comes over the wicket, begins with a good-length delivery, on middle. Brandon King hops up and pushes it to short extra cover.

The in-form Blessing Muzarabani to share the new ball with Richard Ngarava.

Pulls his length back a bit and around leg once more. Brandon King tries to nudge it off his hips but the ball goes off his thigh pad towards backward square leg. A leg bye taken. Just 4 runs off the first over!

Goes fuller and on middle and leg, swings into the right-hander. Brandon King clips it away to short mid-wicket.

Hits the length hard and around off, angling away this time. Brandon King dabs it down to point.

On a length and on off, Shai Hope rides the bounce and pats it in front of short cover for a quick run.

Touch fuller and on the leg stump line again, shaping in too. Shai Hope looks to glance but misses as the ball brushes the pads before going behind. Tadiwanashe Marumani, the keeper, dives to his left to collect it.

WIDE! Just errs in line and lands this on a good length, on middle and leg, shaping further down the leg side. Shai Hope fails to flick it away. Called a wide.

Brandon King and West Indies are underway! Richard Ngarava starts with a back-of-a-length delivery, on off. King stays back and punches it to extra cover for a single.

Done and dusted with the pre-match formalities and it is now time to get the play underway. The umpires are out in the middle and we can see the players of Zimbabwe form a huddle before taking their places on the field. It will be the duo of Brandon King and the skipper, Shai Hope, to open the innings for West Indies. It will be King taking strike first up and Richard Ngarava is all set to get proceedings underway with his left-arm medium pacers. A slip in place as well, let's play...

Time for the anthems - The flags of both teams are unfurled and the two sets of players walk out to the middle along with their mascots. They will line up for their respective anthems. First, it will be the cricketing anthem of the West Indies, followed by the national anthem of Zimbabwe.

PITCH REPORT - Former Windies leggie, Samuel Badree, is inspecting the deck. He starts by saying that things have cooled down considerably after a simmering day. Adds that Wankhede is generally a high-scoring venue, where we see lots of sixes. Adds that if you're bowling from the Press Box End, it is a 74-meter hit straight and the square boundaries are 61 and 67 meters respectively. Former Indian wicket-keeper, Dinesh Karthik, joins him and says that it is a red soil pitch, which means that the bounce will be truer and mentions that Zimbabwe used the bounce as an ally in Colombo, but the smaller dimensions might come into play as well and feels that overall it is a dry surface.

The skipper of West Indies - Shai Hope says they would have bowled first as well on this track. Adds that they have got a good history behind them at the Wankhede, but stresses that they have to play well on the given day. Says that regardless of the records, he highlights the importance of turning up and playing the right brand of cricket when it counts. Informs that they are going in with one change in the XI as Romario Shepherd comes in for Roston Chase.

The captain of Zimbabwe - Sikandar Raza says that, looking at the games that have been played in Mumbai and the general history, it is a ground that favors the chasing side and they want their pacers to make an impact early. On playing a T20I for the first time ever at this venue, Raza mentions that they want to be the country that has played here once and won. Informs that Richard Ngarava has been declared fit, so he comes in for Welligton Masakadza. Ends by saying that they want to play good cricket, and hopefully it turns into a win.

West Indies (Playing XI) - Brandon King, Shai Hope (C/WK), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd (In place of Roston Chase), Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph.

Zimbabwe (Playing XI) - Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (WK), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (C), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Graeme Cremer, Richard Ngarava (In place of Wellington Masakadza), Blessing Muzarabani.

TOSS - It is time for the coin-flip in Mumbai. Both the captains walk out to the middle now. Sikandar Raza gives it a flick and it lands in favour of him only. Zimbabwe elect to BOWL first.

Unbeaten and unafraid - Zimbabwe arrive unbeaten, having topped a group featuring Sri Lanka and Australia, turning heads with discipline and composure. Sikandar Raza has led like a man on a mission, while Brian Bennett remains undismissed in the tournament, yet to even register an average. Blessing Muzarabani has been the talk of the competition, leading the bowling charts for his side. But as the challenge stiffens, more contributions will be needed from Ryan Burl and the middle order if the Chevrons are to have any chances of making it through to the semis. Having played all their group games in Sri Lanka, this is their first outing in India in this World Cup and adapting quickly could be just as important as maintaining their fearless approach. Toss and team news in a bit.

West Indies' big-game blueprint - West Indies bring firepower and belief. While their opening pair has struggled for rhythm, the skipper's return to form has steadied the ship, and with the stakes this high, Johnson Charles, who has fond memories of a T20 World Cup in India could come into consideration. The middle order has been the real statement, with Shimron Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford dismantling attacks all around the park. With the ball, Shamar Joseph and Jason Holder have provided control and breakthroughs, and Gudakesh Motie has dictated the middle overs with authority. Crucially, West Indies have never lost a T20 World Cup match at the Wankhede Stadium - a record that adds another layer of confidence.

A pivotal night in Mumbai - The Super 8s spotlight falls on the iconic Wankhede Stadium where West Indies take on Zimbabwe in Match 4 of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Welcome to a contest that could significantly shape the semi-final race. The group equation has already shifted dramatically after South Africa handed India a massive defeat, leaving little margin for error. In a stage where momentum is everything, the winner here takes a decisive step forward, while the loser risks slipping behind in a tightly packed Super 8 battle.

... MATCH DAY ...

Caribbean flair meets African fire - The spotlight shifts to Mumbai's iconic Wankhede Stadium, where the West Indies square off against Zimbabwe in what promises to be a gripping Group 1 contest. These are two sides that often capture the imagination of fans across the cricketing world. Many quietly adopt them as second favourites, and when either of these teams does well, it naturally brings a smile to the face of the cricketing fraternity. With India and South Africa also in the group, an early win here could go a long way toward setting the tone for the Super 8 campaign. The Chevrons' resurgence - For Zimbabwe, it has been a remarkable revival. After the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2024 T20 World Cup, the African nation has bounced back in style. Unbeaten in the group stage, toppling Australia and Sri Lanka to finish top of Group B, Sikandar Raza's men have made a massive statement. Bennett leads the charge - The campaign began with a setback as veteran Brendan Taylor was ruled out with a tournament-ending hamstring injury in the opener against Oman. They needed someone to step up in his absence, and Brian Bennett has done just that. Back-to-back fifties against Sri Lanka and Australia, and yet to be dismissed in this World Cup, highlight his growing authority at the top. It is not surprising either. Over the past year, Bennett has been the leading run scorer in the format for his country, and no other batter in the squad has crossed 1000 runs in that period. Still, Zimbabwe will need more than individual brilliance. The likes of Tadiwanashe Marumani and Ryan Burl must shoulder greater responsibility if this momentum is to carry forward. Pace power, and the Raza factor - With the ball, Raza has managed just one wicket in three matches, which is unlike him. That said, he has kept things tight and chipped in with useful contributions with the bat. If he rediscovers his wicket-taking touch, Zimbabwe will become an even more potent unit. It has largely been the pace attack doing the damage. Blessing Muzarabani has led the attack admirably, especially in the absence of Richard Ngarava in the past couple of games. Muzarabani has found strong support from Brad Evans, which has augured well for the African side. Ngarava was rested as a precaution against Australia and, with qualification already sealed before the Sri Lanka game, the Zimbabwe think tank opted not to risk the left-arm quick. His return will add valuable variety to the attack and give them a different dimension with the new ball. Windies rising on the big stage - As for the West Indies, form coming into the tournament was not particularly encouraging. In 2025, they won just 2 out of the 7 T20I series they played and lost both series leading up to the World Cup. Yet, when it has mattered most, Shai Hope and Co. have risen to the occasion. Bowling unit in rhythm - They went four out of four in Group C, registering wins over Scotland, England, Nepal and Italy. Their bowling has been especially impressive, claiming 38 wickets in the group stage, the most among the 20 teams, and bowling the opposition out three times in four games. It has been a collective effort with Jason Holder providing experience and control. Matthew Forde and Shamar Joseph finished the group stage strongly, which bodes well for the next phase. Romario Shepherd missed the Nepal game due to a niggle and was not risked against Italy either. His return would be a massive boost in both departments and could present a selection dilemma for the Windies think tank, whether to leave out Roston Chase or trim the pace attack. Spin in focus - Gudakesh Motie has stood out in the spin department, and the left-arm finger spinner has also added wrist spin to his armoury, making him a genuine threat in the middle overs. The lack of wicket-taking threat from Akeal Hosein is a concern, and he has been a touch on the expensive side, too. Batting form - With the bat, Shai Hope, finding form in the last couple of game,s is a timely boost, especially with opening partner Brandon King managing just 62 runs in the group stage. Shimron Hetmyer arrived late in India due to a visa issue, but hit the ground running and has relished his new role at number three.  Sherfane Rutherford has also contributed, while Rovman Powell will be keen to make a bigger impact in the Super 8s. Form (Last 5 completed T20Is, most recent first) - Zimbabwe - WWWLL | West Indies - WWWWW. A return after a decade - It was in 2016 that Zimbabwe last played an international game in India, during that year's T20 World Cup. From that squad, only Sikandar Raza and Wellington Masakadza remain part of the current group at this World Cup. For the rest of the group, this is largely unfamiliar territory. Moreover, the Chevrons played all their group stage matches in Sri Lanka, and now the shift to India brings a fresh challenge. It will be about adapting quickly and getting it right early. As for the Men in Maroon, they have had it easier in that sense. They have been based in India throughout the tournament and even played two of their group games in Mumbai. What the numbers tell us - At the Wankhede, across the six group stage games, pacers picked up 35 wickets at an economy rate of 8.77, while spinners accounted for 32 at a tighter 7.77. So both have played their part, even if spin has been slightly more economical. The venue has also seen plenty of big hitting. With 89 sixes in the group stage, it was the joint highest among the eight venues, tied with Chepauk. All of which sets the stage for a contest that could swing either way. Whose side are you on?