West Indies hit highest T20 World Cup total against Zimbabwe

MUMBAI (Dunya News) – In a scintillating Super Eight clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Wankhede Stadium on Monday, West Indies posted a mammoth 254/6 in 20 overs, setting Zimbabwe a daunting target of 255.

This total is the highest by any team in this year’s T20 World Cup, surpassing Ireland’s 235/5 against Oman earlier in the tournament.

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza won the toss and opted to field first, but the decision backfired as the two-time champions unleashed a flurry of aggressive batting.

West Indies began cautiously, losing right-handed opener Brandon King for nine runs in the third over with just 17 on the board. Shimron Hetmyer then joined captain Shai Hope and the pair added 37 runs for the second wicket before Hope fell for 14 off 12 balls, caught by Brad Evans.

Hetmyer was joined by Rovman Powell at No.4, and the duo turned the innings around with a scintillating 122-run partnership off just 51 deliveries for the third wicket. Hetmyer finished as the top scorer with 85 runs from 34 balls, including seven sixes and seven fours. Powell contributed 59 off 35 balls, hitting four sixes and four fours before being dismissed by Tashinga Musekiwa at deep backward square leg.

1️⃣5️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ T20I runs and counting!#MaroonSpirit #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/0yJgcKyXDo

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) February 23, 2026

Despite initial breakthroughs from Graeme Cremer and Blessing Muzarabani, Zimbabwe could not contain the aggressive West Indies batting lineup. Cremer removed Hetmyer, while Muzarabani accounted for Powell. Richard Ngarava and Muzarabani took two wickets each, and Brad Evans claimed one, but the damage had already been done.

Romario Shepherd and Sherfane Rutherford’s explosive cameos of 21 and 31 not out, respectively, ensured West Indies maintained a high scoring rate till the final over. This commanding total now tops the charts as the highest team score in T20 World Cup 2026, setting the stage for a potentially thrilling chase by Zimbabwe.

Playing XIs

West Indies: Brandon King, Shai Hope (capt, 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 Musekiwa, Tony Munyonga, Dion Myers, Brad Evans, Graeme Cremer, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani