Overview:
Zimbabwe and West Indies are set to battle it out in an exciting clash, with both teams in strong form. West Indies' aggressive batting and seasoned bowling attack could give them an edge.
The stage is set for Match 44 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Super Eights, as Zimbabwe lock horns with the West Indies at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Monday, February 23.
Zimbabwe have been one of the most exciting teams of the tournament. They started with a dominant eight-wicket win over Oman and followed up with a crucial 23-run victory over Australia. Even a rain-affected game with Ireland couldn’t disrupt their rhythm, as they clinched a six-wicket victory against Sri Lanka.
Zimbabwe were unbeaten in the group stage, powered by a formidable bowling attack and a reliable top-order. Brian Bennett has anchored the innings, while Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl have provided important middle-order runs. Blessing Muzarabani has been in superb form, picking up wickets consistently and breaking partnerships.
On the other hand, the West Indies have been clinical in their approach. They dominated Scotland, England, Nepal, and Italy, registering four wins. Their batting has been explosive, with Shai Hope providing the necessary stability, while Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell going for big shots. Having already played in Mumbai, the West Indies will be comfortable adjusting to the conditions once again.
ZIM vs WI Match Details
| Fixture | ZIM vs WI: 44th Match, T20World Cup 2026 |
| Date | February 23, 2026 (Monday) |
| Time | 7:00 PM IST |
| Toss time | 6:30 PM IST |
| Ground | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
ZIM vs WI head-to-head records in T20I
| Matches Played | ZIM | WI |
| 4 | 1 | 3 |
Pitch Report
At Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, six games have taken place in the 2026 T20 World Cup, with the average first innings score around 160. Teams batting first have claimed victory in three matches, while the chasing sides have won twice. The pitch has offered more assistance to bowlers than in the Indian Premier League.
ZIM vs WI Probable Best Performers
Key batter to watch out for: Shai Hope
West Indian skipper Shai Hope could be a crucial figure in the upcoming encounter against Zimbabwe. He has accumulated 155 runs across four matches, averaging 51.66 with a strike rate of 134.78. With two half-centuries to his name, Hope is in excellent touch and will be looking to maintain the consistency.
Key bowler to watch out for: Blessing Muzarabani
Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani is likely to be the key bowler in the upcoming game. The lanky pacer has had a brilliant run so far, taking nine wickets in three innings at an economy rate of 5.91, ranking as the third-highest wicket-taker of this edition. The 29-year-old will head into the match with high confidence after a series of strong performances.
ZIM vs WI Match Prediction ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Zimbabwe and West Indies are set to battle it out in an exciting clash, with both teams in strong form. West Indies’ aggressive batting and seasoned bowling attack could give them an edge. However, Zimbabwe’s disciplined all-round performance makes it a closely contested match, and the outcome could go either way.
ZIM vs WI Probable XIs
Zimbabwe:Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani(w), Tony Munyonga, Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza(c), Dion Myers, Brad Evans, Tashinga Musekiwa, Wellington Masakadza, Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani
West Indies:Brandon King, Shai Hope(w/c), Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Akeal Hosein, Jason Holder, Gudakesh Motie, Matthew Forde, Shamar Joseph