Gudakesh Motie takes 4-28 as Hetmyer's 85 powers West Indies to 107-run Super 8 win
gudakesh motie starred with figures of 4-28 as West Indies overwhelmed Zimbabwe by 107 runs in a Super 8 match in Mumbai, a result driven by Shimron Hetmyer's electric 85 off 34 balls that helped the visitors post 254-6.
Gudakesh Motie runs through Zimbabwe
Gudakesh Motie finished with 4-28, using left-arm spin to break Zimbabwe's middle order and start the decisive collapse. Motie's spell began with a top-quality delivery that dismissed Dion Myers for 28, and he ended with four wickets as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 147 in 17. 4 overs.
Hetmyer's rapid 85 changes game
Shimron Hetmyer struck 85 from 34 balls, hitting seven sixes and seven fours at a strike rate of 250 to propel West Indies to their imposing total of 254-6. Hetmyer was dropped twice earlier in his innings before eventually being caught at deep mid-wicket. Rovman Powell added a 35-ball 59, while contributions from Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder pushed the score toward the 250 mark.
Windies post second-highest T20 total
West Indies' 254-6 was the second-highest total in T20 World Cup history, behind an older 260-6 mark. The total put immediate pressure on Zimbabwe at the Wankhede Stadium, where no side had previously successfully chased more than 230 in T20 internationals or in the Indian Premier League. The Chevrons struggled early in the chase: Akeal Hosein removed Brian Bennett and Ryan Burl in quick succession to leave Zimbabwe reeling at 20-3.
Implications for the Super 8s
The result leaves West Indies with momentum in the Super 8 stage, highlighting both rare batting firepower and a capable spin attack. In support of the batting, Hetmyer now has nine half-centuries in 69 T20 international innings, an indicator of sustained form in the tournament context. For Zimbabwe, a late 21-ball 43 from Brad Evans — featuring five sixes — provided some resistance; his innings formed a record 10th-wicket stand of 44 with Richard Ngarava at this World Cup but came too late to alter the outcome.
- Final scores: West Indies 254-6 (20 overs); Zimbabwe 147 (17. 4 overs).
- Key figures: Hetmyer 85, Powell 59; Gudakesh Motie 4-28, Akeal Hosein 3-28.
- Context: West Indies' total was the second-highest in T20 World Cup history; Wankhede has no successful chase above 230 in T20 internationals or IPL.
Looking ahead, if West Indies sustain the combination of explosive top-order batting and penetrative spin exemplified in this match, they will enter their remaining Super 8 fixtures as strong favourites. For Zimbabwe, tightening the top and middle order against high-octane scoring and left-arm spin will be necessary to challenge similar totals in the next stage.
