Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium witnessed a dominant display from West Indies as they crushed Zimbabwe by 107 runs in a thrilling encounter. Captain Shai Hope’s men posted a formidable 254 for 6 after electing to bat first, setting a challenging target under the floodlights.
Zimbabwe’s chase crumbled spectacularly, folding for just 147 in 17.4 overs. The Caribbean bowlers, led by the masterful Gudakesh Motie, ran riot. Motie claimed 4 wickets for 28 runs in his spell, turning the game on its head with his wrist-spin wizardry.
Hope was all praise for Rovman Powell, whose explosive 59 off 35 balls, including 8 boundaries, propelled West Indies to a competitive total. Powell’s partnership of 122 runs for the third wicket with Shimron Hetmyer (85) proved decisive.
Despite opener Brandon King’s modest 9 off 12 balls, Hope remains unfazed. ‘He’s batting well, and I have full faith in his abilities,’ the skipper declared, emphasizing continuous improvement.
Reflecting on the pitch, Hope noted the unexpected turn for spinners, especially in the first innings. ‘The leg-spin was mesmerizing,’ he added.
Motie’s resurgence post-break drew special mention. ‘He’s made the most of his time away,’ Hope said. West Indies now gear up for South Africa in the Super-8 on February 26, brimming with confidence.