The West Indies crushed Zimbabwe by 107 runs in the T20 World Cup Super Eight stage, with Shimron Hetmyer’s 85 the headline act in Mumbai.
Hetymer unfurled a furious display of power-hitting at the Wankhede Stadium, including his country’s fastest half-century in the format off just 19 deliveries.
In all he struck seven of the West Indies’ 19 sixes as they raced to 254 for six – the second-highest score in the tournament’s history. Rovman Powell also hit form with 59 off 35.
Zimbabwe did not have the firepower to compete, scraping together 147 all out in the 18th over as spinners Gudakesh Motie (four for 28) and Akeal Hosein (three for 28) shared the spoils.
The heavy victory, the biggest of the competition to date, gives the Windies a major net run-rate boost as they eye a place in the semi-finals, heaping pressure on favourites India after their defeat by South Africa.
“I’m not overthinking my batting,” Hetmyer explained. “I’ve been overthinking in the past. Now I am trying to think less and the bat will now do the talking and I react what’s in front of me.”
The West Indies take on South Africa in their next game on Thursday in Ahmedabad, before Zimbabwe face India later on in Chennai in a must-win game for both sides.
PA
