The T20 World Cup 2026 heats up at Wankhede Stadium as Zimbabwe edges West Indies in the toss battle. Captain Sikandar Raza opted to field first, citing the chasing advantage at this legendary Mumbai venue. It’s a make-or-break Super 12 match for both sides.
Both squads shuffled their decks with one change each. Zimbabwe brings in Richard Ngarava for Masakadza to sharpen their pace battery. Raza emphasized exploiting early conditions with fast bowlers on a pitch known for high-scoring chases.
Shai Hope, West Indies captain, wouldn’t have minded bowling first either. Shepherd’s inclusion replaces Chase, injecting all-round depth. West Indies boast a strong historical record here, but execution is key.
Zimbabwe’s group stage heroics – beating Australia and Sri Lanka – have them buzzing with confidence. Brian Bennett’s 175 runs from three innings highlight their batting depth, capped by a match-winning 63* vs Sri Lanka. Raza’s dual impact keeps them competitive.
Muzarabani’s 9 wickets make him Zimbabwe’s spearhead. His express pace could rattle West Indies’ power-hitters.
West Indies shine brighter, unbeaten so far. Hope’s 155 runs blend leadership and runs seamlessly. Hetmyer’s 134 at a blistering 159 strike rate terrifies bowlers. Holder and Joseph share 14 wickets, with Motie’s spin throttling run flows.
Playing XIs – West Indies: King, Hope (wk), Hetmyer, Powell, Rutherford, Holder, Shepherd, Forde, Hosein, Motie, Joseph. Zimbabwe: Bennett, Marumani (wk), Burl, Raza (c), Muskwewa, Munyonga, Myers, Evans, Cremer, Ngarava, Muzarabani.
History vs hunger: West Indies’ pedigree clashes with Zimbabwe’s upset magic. Expect boundaries galore under the lights.