🏏ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026: S 8 - Match 44: WI vs ZIMBABWE🏏 - Page 2

Arabian Sea breeze kissing your face as you walk into the 33,000-capacity cauldron that is Wankhede Stadium. Home of Mumbai Indians, site of India’s 2011 World Cup glory – and now stage for Zimbabwe vs West Indies T20 World Cup 2026. The short square boundaries (especially Garware Pavilion End) are made for six-hitting festivals. Tata End offers different angles for bowlers. Floodlights turn night into day. Crowd? Passionate, loud, and ready to celebrate every boundary.

Zimbabwe fans, you’ve never played a T20I here before (last India visit 2016). West Indies have already won twice at this venue in 2026 – brushing England aside by 30 runs and Nepal by 9 wickets. That experience matters.

High stakes for a rare West Indies-Zimbabwe clash

Both teams finished on top of their groups and Monday's meeting will be only the fifth T20I between the sides

Big Picture: Tussle between two in-form teams

Two years ago, Zimbabwe failed to qualify for the T20 World Cup. Not only did they make the competition this time, they entered the Super Eights unbeaten.

First, it was Blessing Muzarabani who shut Australia down on a slow pitch in Colombo. Then their top four silenced the Khettarama crowd by chasing down 189 against Sri Lanka. The common factor in those wins were also Brian Bennett's fifties and Sikandar Raza's quick cameos. Muzarabani and Brad Evans are also among the top-ten wicket-takers in the tournament.

With contributions from several players, Zimbabwe could prove a handful for West Indies in Mumbai. They will have to make a quick adjustment, though, having played all their group matches in Sri Lanka, while West Indies have already played twice at the Wankhede.

These two sides have faced each other only four times in T20 internationals. When lined up player-against-player, West Indies - also undefeated - look stronger with bat, with an in-form Shai Hope, a rejuvenated Shimron Hetmyer at No. 3, and a solid finisher in Sherfane Rutherford.

Having as many as three allrounders - with Romario Shepherd in line to return after injury - gives them the option of playing three fast bowlers and three spinners. It's an ideal mix in Mumbai, where the quicks (35 wickets) and spinners (34) have been equally effective, averaging 26.28 and 26.25 respectively this tournament.

It's a big game for both sides, with matches against India and South Africa to follow next. Who will get on the points table first?

Form guide

West Indies W W W W W (last five completed T20Is, most recent first)

Zimbabwe W W W L L

In the spotlight: Blessing Muzarabani and Shai Hope

Blessing Muzarabani is an early wicket-taker and a serial wicket-taker. He has height, pace and discipline on lengths that can be threatening, especially with the new ball. He also bowls at the death where he generally goes on the shorter side peppered in with the odd slower ball. That's as all-conditions as it gets in T20s, and form is on his side too.

West Indies have a clear batting approach outlined by regular boundary hitting, and Shai Hope is the initiator and the glue as he sets up and builds innings. He has the virtues of an upgraded anchor who doesn't have to shut down when the team is on the back foot. He is coming off two fifties, the second of which against Nepal saw him power through even as wickets fell at the other end.

Stats and trivia

• West Indies won the only previous T20 World Cup fixture against Zimbabwe. That was in 2022, with Jason Holder grabbing 3 for 12 and Johnson Charles scoring 45.
• Zimbabwe have never played a T20I in Mumbai before.
• Muzarabani enters the Super Eight as the second highest wicket-taker in the tournament, level with Varun Chakravarthy. He has nine wickets and an average of 7.88

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.

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 during the group stage. All of which sets the stage for a contest that could swing either way. Whose side are you on?

Pitch and Conditions

It's a red-soil pitch at the Wankhede that's generally known to provide good bounce for spinners. It's the same pitch used for the game between India and USA where fewer than 300 runs were scored and bowlers enjoyed success. The weather is set to play fair with clear skies and a gentle breeze

Stand out performances

Matthew: "Standout performance has to be Yuvraj Samra's ton! Zimbabwe's Brian Bennett if we include the whole tournament. "

Avinash: "Blessing Muzarbani's 4/17 is really a great bowling performance against Australia is one which stand out from other bowlers"