New Delhi: West Indies started their campaign in dominant fashion as they beat Zimbabwe by 107 runs in the T20 World Cup Super Eights in Mumbai.
With this win, West Indies leapfrogged South Africa to top the T20 World Cup Super 8 Group One standings. The Windies currently have a net run rate (NRR) of +5.350, ahead of second-placed South Africa, who have an NRR of +3.800.
With only the top two teams in the group making it to the semi-finals, India are currently in third place with -3.800 NRR and may struggle to reach the knockout stages if they are tied on points at the end of this stage.
After winning the toss and opting to bowl, Zimbabwe were severely punished and the West Indies batsmen scored wildly at the Wankhede Stadium.
Shimron Hetmyer was the star of the show, scoring 85 runs off just 34 balls to help West Indies post 254-6, their second-highest total in the history of the T20 World Cup.
Hetmyer was dismissed early in the innings and Zimbabwe paid dearly for the mistake. He reached his fifty off just 19 balls and struck a quick century partnership with Rovman Powell, who also hit a strong 59 off 35 balls.
After they were out, Sherfane Rutherford continued to score, scoring 31 not out, while Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder made quick runs in the final two overs to score 38 runs.
Zimbabwe got off to a nightmare start while chasing a mammoth target of 255. They cut the deficit to 20-3 in the first three rounds and never recovered. While Brad Evans fought hard to score 43 off 21 balls in the dying seconds, the rest of the batting collapsed under the pressure. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 147 in 17.4 overs.
Left-arm spinners Gudakesh Motie and Akeal Hosein dominated, taking 4 and 3 wickets respectively to seal the win.
The match showed the vast disparity between the two sides on the day, with West Indies sending a strong message at the Super Eight stage.