NEW DELHI: Unbeaten West Indies and Zimbabwe will meet in a crucial Super Eight clash of the T20 World Cup on Monday, with both teams having topped their groups in the first round.
The match is seen as a key test for both sides as tougher challenges await in the next phase of the tournament.
The two-time champions West Indies have rediscovered their confidence and flair, winning four matches in a row and putting behind a poor run in bilateral series.
Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer have been in strong batting form, while Jason Holder, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford and Romario Shepherd have provided valuable contributions with both bat and ball.
Playing at the Wankhede Stadium, West Indies are expected to use the shorter boundaries and flat pitch to their advantage with their powerful hitting.
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, have been one of the standout stories of the tournament, defeating former champions Australia and Sri Lanka to earn respect and a place in the Super Eight.
Young batter Brian Bennett has led their scoring charts, while bowlers Blessing Muzarabani and Brad Evans have been among the leading wicket-takers.
Despite hitting far fewer sixes than West Indies, Zimbabwe’s confidence, all-round strength and fighting spirit suggest they are ready to challenge stronger opponents and push West Indies hard in this high-stakes encounter.
WI vs ZIM: Weather forecast for Mumbai
The weather for the West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup match on February 23 is expected to be ideal for cricket, with clear skies and no chance of rain or thunderstorms.
The temperature will hover around 21°C at night, with calm conditions and a light north-northwesterly wind at around 9 km/h, though occasional gusts could reach up to 28 km/h.
Cloud cover is expected to be minimal, ensuring uninterrupted play.
WI vs ZIM: Head-to-head stats in T20Is
- Total matches played: 4
- West Indies: 3 wins, 1 loss
- Zimbabwe: 1 win, 3 losses
Wankhede Stadium - T20 stats
| Total matches | 19 |
| Matches won batting first | 9 |
| Matches won bowling first | 10 |
| Average 1st innings score | 172 |
| Average 2nd innings score | 154 |
| Highest total recorded | 247/9 (20 overs) – India vs England |
| Lowest total recorded | 80/10 (16.2 overs) – India Women vs England Women |
| Highest score chased | 230/8 (19.4 overs) – England vs South Africa |
| Lowest score defended | 143/6 (20 overs) – West Indies Women vs New Zealand Women
|
WI vs ZIM squads
West Indies: Shai Hope (c&wk), Johnson Charles (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales.
Zimbabwe: Sikandar Raza (c), Ben Curran, Clive Madande (wk), Tadiwanashe Marumani, Dion Mayers, Brian Benett, Ryan Burl, Brad Evans, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Graeme Cremer, Tinotenda Maposa, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava.
Get the latest ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 updates, including the full schedule, teams, live scores, points table, and key series stats such as top run-scorers and wicket-takers.At TOI Sports Desk, reporters work around the clock to bring you ...
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