West Indies and Zimbabwe are set to lock horns in their opening Super 8 Group 2 fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on February 23 at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium. The match, scheduled to begin at 7 pm IST, will be broadcast on Star Sports and streamed on JioHotstar.
Led by captain Shai Hope, West Indies have emerged as one of the strongest teams in the tournament so far, delivering dominant performances in the group stage. Their powerful batting lineup and experienced bowling unit make them serious contenders for the title. Head coach Darren Sammy emphasised the importance of respecting Zimbabwe while maintaining confidence in their own strengths.
Zimbabwe, under captain Sikandar Raza, have been one of the biggest surprises of the tournament. They topped their group after stunning victories over stronger teams, including Australia and Sri Lanka, showcasing their resurgence in international cricket.
The Wankhede Stadium pitch is expected to favour batters, with good bounce, fast outfield, and short boundaries encouraging high scores. However, evening dew may make bowling difficult in the second innings, potentially favouring teams chasing targets.
The match is also crucial in the context of the group standings, with teams like India national cricket team closely monitoring the result after their loss to South Africa national cricket team affected their qualification chances.
Historically, West Indies have dominated Zimbabwe in T20 internationals, winning three out of four matches. However, Zimbabwe’s recent form suggests they are capable of pulling off another upset in this high-stakes encounter.
