Mumbai, February 23 – The West Indies crushed Zimbabwe by 107 runs in a one-sided T20 World Cup Super Eights match, after Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell's powerful batting helped them achieve the second-highest score in the tournament's history on Monday.
The West Indies dominated from the start, scoring 19 sixes and 16 fours, amassing 254/6 thanks to Hetmyer's 85 off 34 balls and Powell's 59 off 35 balls.
The West Indies narrowly missed Sri Lanka's record score of 260/6 against Ireland in the inaugural edition of the competition in 2007.
Zimbabwe, in their reply, struggled against the aggressive bowling and the contest was decided early in the third over when Akeal Hosein (3/28) dismissed two batsmen.
Brian Bennett (5) was the first to go, dismissed by Hosein, followed by Tadiwanashe Marumani (14), caught by Hetmyer.
Hetmyer continued his dominance, hitting seven sixes and as many fours to reach his second fifty of the tournament.
Zimbabwe's Tashinga Musekiwa, playing his first game at the iconic venue, had a difficult time, dropping Hetmyer twice, on 9 and 70.
Brandon King (9) hit a six off Richard Ngarava (2/47) and then struck it straight to Musekiwa in the third over.
However, in the fourth over, Musekiwa failed to hold on to a catch, giving Hetmyer a reprieve off Blessing Muzarabani (2/42).
Hetmyer continued his aggressive hitting, smashing sixes and fours against Zimbabwe, who looked lost.
Skipper Sikandar Raza tried to control the situation, but Hetmyer swatted him for sixes in the eighth over, scoring 20 runs.
The West Indies plundered 124 runs between the 2nd and 12th overs, with Hetmyer and Powell providing strong support. The two West Indies batsmen put on 122 off 52 balls for the third wicket.
Even as Hetmyer was dominating, Powell continued to score runs. Powell's knock included four boundaries and as many sixes.
Towards the end, Sherfane Rutherford (31 not out), Romario Shepherd (21) and Jason Holder (13) helped the West Indies cross 250.
