Hetmyer, Powell 50s, Motie’s 4-wicket haul script their first win in Super Eights
Mumbai: A rampant West Indies pulverised Zimbabwe by 107 runs in a one-sided Super Eights clash of the T20 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium here on Monday, riding on a blistering assault from Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell.
On a flat batting track, West Indies piled up a massive 254 for six, the second-highest total in the tournament’s history, smashing 19 sixes and 16 fours. Hetmyer led the carnage with a breathtaking 85 off 34 balls, reaching his half-century in just 19 deliveries — the fastest for his side in T20 World Cups — while Powell hammered 59 off 35 balls. The duo stitched a 122-run stand for the third wicket off just 52 balls to leave Zimbabwe reeling.
Sherfane Rutherford (31 not out), Romario Shepherd (21) and Jason Holder (13) provided the finishing touches as the Caribbean side fell just short of Sri Lanka’s 260/6 record set in 2007.
Zimbabwe’s chase never took off. Akeal Hosein (3/28) struck twice in a rare double-wicket maiden in the third over, removing Brian Bennett and Ryan Burl, as Zimbabwe slumped to 20 for three. Gudakesh Motie (4/28) tightened the screws further and the visitors were bundled out for 147 in 17.4 overs.
Brad Evans’ 43 off 21 balls and a 44-run last-wicket stand with Richard Ngarava only reduced the margin of defeat.
The win marked West Indies’ fifth straight T20 World Cup victory at the venue, stretching back to their title-winning campaign in 2016.
