The West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20 match turned into a complete batting show from the Caribbean side as West Indies posted a massive 254-6 in 20 overs and later bowled out Zimbabwe for 147 in 17.4 overs. The match was filled with explosive hitting, quick wickets, and standout individual performances.
This WI vs ZIM T20 match report covers all the key moments, top performers, and turning points from the high-scoring encounter.
Key Highlights
- West Indies posted 254-6 in 20 overs – a massive total in T20 cricket.
- Shimron Hetmyer smashed 85 off 34 balls (7 fours, 7 sixes, 250 strike rate).
- Rovman Powell scored 59 off 35 balls, building a match-winning partnership.
- Strong finish from Sherfane Rutherford (31 off 13)* and Jason Holder (13 off 4).
- Zimbabwe conceded 21 extras, adding pressure on their bowling unit.
- Gudakesh Motie took 4 wickets for 28 runs, key spell in middle overs.
- Akeal Hosein picked 3 wickets, maintaining tight control.
- Zimbabwe were bowled out for 147 in 17.4 overs while chasing 255.
- Brad Evans top-scored with 43 off 21 balls, but lacked support.
- West Indies secured a dominant win with a complete all-round performance.
West Indies Innings: 254-6 (20 Overs)
The West Indies batting unit delivered one of their most aggressive T20 performances. After losing an early wicket, the middle order dominated Zimbabwe’s bowling attack.
Shimron Hetmyer’s Blazing 85
The star of the innings was Shimron Hetmyer, who smashed 85 runs off just 34 balls. His innings included 7 fours and 7 sixes, striking at an incredible 250.00 strike rate. Hetmyer attacked both pace and spin, shifting the momentum fully in West Indies’ favor.
He built crucial partnerships and ensured the run rate never dropped below 12 per over. His fearless batting turned the game into a one-sided contest.
Rovman Powell and Late Acceleration
Captain Rovman Powell supported Hetmyer brilliantly with 59 runs off 35 balls, including 4 boundaries and 4 sixes. The pair added quick runs in the middle overs, putting Zimbabwe under huge pressure.
In the final overs, Sherfane Rutherford (31 off 13)* and Jason Holder (13 off 4) added the finishing touch. Their late hitting pushed the total beyond the 250 mark, which is considered a match-winning T20 total on most surfaces.
West Indies scored 254-6 with a run rate of 12.7, showcasing their strong T20 batting depth.
Zimbabwe Bowling Performance
Zimbabwe struggled to control the flow of runs. While there were a few wickets, the bowlers found it hard to contain the aggressive stroke play.
- Richard Ngarava: 2 wickets for 47 runs
- Blessing Muzarabani: 2 wickets for 42 runs
- Brad Evans: 1 wicket for 46 runs
- Graeme Cremer: 1 wicket for 38 runs
- Sikandar Raza: 0 wickets for 52 runs
The lack of dot balls and expensive overs in the death phase cost Zimbabwe heavily. Their bowling economy rates were mostly above 10, which made defending impossible.
Zimbabwe Innings: 147-10 (17.4 Overs)
Chasing 255 runs was always going to be difficult. Zimbabwe needed a strong start but lost wickets at regular intervals.
Top Performers for Zimbabwe
- Brad Evans: 43 off 21 balls (2 fours, 5 sixes)
- Dion Myers: 28 off 15 balls
- Sikandar Raza: 27 off 20 balls
Brad Evans played a fearless knock and tried to counter-attack with a strike rate above 200. However, the required run rate kept climbing, and wickets continued to fall.
Zimbabwe collapsed from a promising phase to 147 all out, losing their last few wickets quickly.
West Indies Bowling Attack
The West Indies bowlers backed up their batters with disciplined performances.
- Gudakesh Motie: 4 wickets for 28 runs
- Akeal Hosein: 3 wickets for 28 runs
- Matthew Forde: 2 wickets for 27 runs
- Jason Holder: 1 wicket
Spin played a big role in the middle overs. Motie and Hosein controlled the run flow and broke key partnerships. Their tight lines made it difficult for Zimbabwe to chase the steep target.
Match Turning Point
The biggest turning point was the partnership between Hetmyer and Powell. Once West Indies crossed 200, the match was nearly sealed. Zimbabwe needed a record chase, and early wickets crushed their hopes.
Another key moment was Gudakesh Motie’s four-wicket spell, which ended Zimbabwe’s middle-order resistance.
What This Means for the Series
This win boosts West Indies’ confidence in the T20 format. Their explosive batting lineup proved once again why they are considered one of the most dangerous teams in T20 international cricket.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, will need to improve their death bowling strategy and middle-order consistency. Conceding 254 runs shows clear areas that require attention.
Final Summary
The West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20 match was a complete domination by the Caribbean side. A massive total of 254-6 powered by Shimron Hetmyer’s explosive 85 proved too much for Zimbabwe.
The bowlers then completed the job by restricting Zimbabwe to 147 all out, sealing a convincing victory. With strong performances in both batting and bowling, West Indies once again showed their strength in the shortest format of the game.
This match will be remembered for power-hitting, high strike rates, and a commanding all-round display by West Indies.
