West Indies Unleash Six-Storm to Crush Zimbabwe

The last time Zimbabwe played in India during a T20 World Cup, their campaign ended before the eventual champions, West Indies, had even begun theirs. On February 23 at Wankhede, the Men in Maroon delivered a brutal reminder of what that champion side once looked like — and still can.

In a night dripping with power and nostalgia, West Indies smashed 19 sixes — equalling a T20 World Cup record — on their way to posting 254/6, the highest total of this edition and the second-highest in tournament history. Zimbabwe were left shell-shocked, eventually folding for 147 in a crushing 107-run defeat in their opening Super Eights fixture.

A Carnage-Filled First Act

Zimbabwe knew the transition from Sri Lanka’s slower surfaces to India’s batting-friendly pitches would test them. That challenge quickly turned into punishment.

After early wickets of Brandon King and Shai Hope — with 55 runs coming in the powerplay — it seemed Zimbabwe had a foothold. But what followed was pure destruction.

Shimron Hetmyer flipped the switch.

Graeme Cremer was dispatched for consecutive sixes. Sikandar Raza, usually so dependable, was taken apart — three sixes in a single over. Five maximums came in just six deliveries as Hetmyer raced to a blistering 19-ball fifty. A dropped chance on 9 by Tashinga Musekiwa proved costly — perhaps decisively so.

By the halfway stage, West Indies were 115/2, and Zimbabwe’s hopes were already thinning.

Powell Powers the Second Wave

When Cremer briefly found turn to test Rovman Powell, a flicker of resistance appeared. It lasted moments.

Powell launched into the pacers with authority, bringing up his own half-century and keeping the momentum relentless. By the time Brian Bennett held onto a sharp catch to end the century stand, the damage had already spiraled out of control.

And it didn’t stop there.

Jason Holder, Sherfane Rutherford, and Romario Shepherd piled on in the final overs as the six-hitting exhibition carried the total beyond realistic reach. Wankhede had witnessed a full-blown six-fest.

Early Strikes Seal It

Zimbabwe’s chase never truly began.

West Indies struck three times inside the first 16 deliveries. Akeal Hosein’s dismissal of Bennett set the tone. When the score dipped to 20/3, the result was practically written.

Dion Myers and Raza attempted to steady things, dragging Zimbabwe to 87/4 at the halfway mark. But Gudakesh Motie ended any remote comeback hopes with two wickets in two balls, later completing a superb four-wicket haul. Hosein chipped in with three as well.

Though Evans provided late entertainment with five sixes in 10 balls, it was merely a brief spark in an otherwise gloomy evening.

Bigger Implications

Beyond the emphatic 107-run margin, the result shakes up the Super Eights equation. Zimbabwe’s net run rate takes a massive hit, while West Indies strengthen their unbeaten run.

Now, attention turns to the bigger picture. India must not only beat Zimbabwe convincingly but also rely on South Africa to halt West Indies’ momentum.

On this evidence, that will be no easy task.

Final Match Summary

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