MUMBAI: In a breathtaking display of power-hitting, Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell unleashed havoc at Wankhede Stadium, propelling West Indies to a staggering 254 for 6 against Zimbabwe in the T20 World Cup 2026 on Monday. This explosive total now stands as the highest score ever in T20 World Cup history, rewriting the record books in spectacular fashion.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza won the toss and elected to field first, a decision that quickly backfired. West Indies stumbled early with Brandon King departing for 9 off 12 balls and skipper Shai Hope managing just 14 off 12, including a couple of boundaries. But the Caribbean side roared back as Hetmyer and Powell forged a match-defining 122-run third-wicket partnership.
Hetmyer was a force of nature, racing to his half-century in just 19 balls before perishing for a blistering 85 off 34 deliveries. His knock featured seven fours and seven sixes, dismantling Zimbabwe’s bowling attack with ruthless precision. Powell complemented the assault perfectly, reaching his fifty in 29 balls and finishing unbeaten on 59 from 35 balls, laced with four fours and four sixes.
Lower down the order, Romario Shepherd smashed 21 off 10, Jason Holder contributed 13 off 4, and Sherfane Rutherford remained not out on 31 off 13, blasting three fours and two sixes. Blessing Muzarabani was Zimbabwe’s standout bowler with 2 wickets, but it was scant consolation.
West Indies made one change, bringing in Shepherd for Roston Chase, while Zimbabwe replaced Masakadza with Richard Ngarava. The playing XIs were: West Indies – Brandon King, Shai Hope (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph. Zimbabwe – Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza (capt), Tashinga Musakanda, Tony Munyonga, Dion Myers, Brad Evans, Graeme Cremer, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani.
As Zimbabwe faces the daunting chase, West Indies’ fireworks have set the tone for what promises to be a thrilling encounter in this World Cup fixture.