Two unbeaten teams collide as West Indies take on Zimbabwe in a high-stakes Super 8 clash at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 23, 2026. This Group 1 encounter brings together sides that topped their respective groups in the first round.
West Indies, winners of the T20 World Cup in 2012 and 2016, enter this match on a four-match winning streak under captain Shai Hope. Zimbabwe has surprised everyone by finishing above Australia and Sri Lanka to reach this stage. Brian Bennett has been unstoppable for Zimbabwe, scoring three unbeaten half-centuries.
Meanwhile, Shimron Hetmyer leads the Caribbean charge with explosive batting at number three. Both teams are hungry for a semi-final spot, making this match crucial for their tournament hopes.
West Indies vs Zimbabwe Match Preview
This Super 8 Group 1 match marks the fifth T20I meeting between these two sides. West Indies finished on top of Group C with a perfect four wins, while Zimbabwe topped Group B with three wins and one match abandoned. The Caribbean side will next face South Africa on February 26 in Ahmedabad. Zimbabwe will take on India on February 25 at the same venue.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | West Indies vs Zimbabwe, T20 World Cup 44th Match |
| Date | 23 February 2026 |
| Time | 7:00 PM IST / 1:30 PM GMT |
| Venue | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| Series | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Context | Super 8 Group 1 match |
Pitch Report
The Wankhede Stadium pitch has shown balanced conditions during this T20 World Cup. The red-soil surface offers good bounce and allows batters to play their shots freely. Fast bowlers can extract some movement with the new ball, especially when the sea breeze flows through the stadium.
In the six matches played at this venue during the tournament, teams have scored an average of 156 runs. About 12 to 13 wickets fall per match, showing assistance for both batters and bowlers. Teams batting first and chasing have won three matches each. The dew factor plays a role in evening matches, making chasing slightly easier. Spinners find some grip on this surface while pacers enjoy early movement.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | Balanced, good bounce |
| Average 1st Innings Score | Around 156 in T20Is this tournament |
| Pace vs Spin | Pace gets early movement, spin finds grip |
| Toss Factor | Chasing preferred due to dew |
| Boundary Size | Short boundaries (65-70 meters) |
Weather Report
Mumbai in late February offers excellent cricket conditions. The weather on match day will be clear with temperatures between 25°C and 28°C. During the evening match, temperatures will stay around 25-27°C. Clear skies are expected with no chance of rain. Humidity levels will be moderate at around 50-55%. The wind will blow gently at around 7 kmph, giving players comfortable conditions to perform.
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 25-28°C (25-27°C during match) |
| Sky | Clear, partly cloudy |
| Rain Chance | Negligible |
| Humidity | 50-55% |
| Overall | Perfect conditions for cricket |
Toss Prediction
The captain winning the toss at Wankhede Stadium is likely to choose to bowl first. The pitch plays true throughout the match, but dew becomes a factor in the second innings. The ball comes onto the bat better under lights, making chasing easier. Teams winning the toss have won four out of six matches at this venue during the tournament. Both captains will want to chase under lights and take advantage of the conditions.
Injury Updates
West Indies: Shepherd is fit to return after recovering from a leg issue. Rest Squad is good to go.
Zimbabwe: No major Injury Concerns.
Dream11 Team For West Indies vs Zimbabwe
West Indies vs Zimbabwe Head-to-Head Records in T20Is
West Indies and Zimbabwe have met only four times in T20I cricket. The Caribbean side holds a clear advantage with three wins to Zimbabwe’s one. Their only T20 World Cup meeting came in 2022 in Australia, where the West Indies won by 31 runs. Zimbabwe posted 153/7 while batting first, but the Windies bowled them out for just 122 runs. Zimbabwe’s last victory against the West Indies came way back in 2010 at Port of Spain, where they won by 26 runs. This current Zimbabwe side is considered their strongest in over a decade and can challenge any team.
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Total T20I Matches | 4 |
| West Indies Wins | 3 |
| Zimbabwe Wins | 1 |
| No Result | 0 |
Last Five Matches
- West Indies won by 31 runs 19-Oct-2022
- West Indies won by 41 runs 03-Mar-2013
- West Indies won by 8 wickets (with 23 balls remaining) 02-Mar-2013
- Zimbabwe won by 26 runs, 28-Feb-2010
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Top Picks For The Match
| Player | Team | Role | Key Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Bennett | ZIM | Opener | 175 runs unbeaten in 3 matches, record for most runs in consecutive not-outs in T20 WC |
| Shai Hope | WI | Batter/WK | Captain, 155 runs at 51.66 with 2 fifties, 17 runs from 10,000 international runs |
| Shimron Hetmyer | WI | Batter | 134 runs in 4 matches, fastest WI fifty in T20 WC history (22 balls) |
| Sikandar Raza | ZIM | All-rounder | Captain, match-winner with bat and ball, 45 off 26 vs Sri Lanka |
| Jason Holder | WI | All-rounder | 7 wickets in 4 matches, provides control and lower-order runs |
| Blessing Muzarabani | ZIM | Bowler | Hero of Australia upset with 4/17, uses height for pace and bounce |
| Shamar Joseph | WI | Bowler | 7 wickets in 4 matches, raw pace and swing with the new ball |
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