Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza won the toss and elected to bowl first against West Indies in their crucial Super 8 Group 1 encounter at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on Monday, February 23, 2026, in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. The match, the fourth of the Super 8 stage, pits two teams vying for semifinal spots in a high-stakes night contest under lights.

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Zimbabwe vs West Indies Live POOL / PAUL CHILDS

West Indies, coming off strong group-stage performances, opened with Shai Hope and Brandon King. Zimbabwe's pacers struck early, removing King cheaply through Richard Ngarava's sharp bowling. Hope followed soon after for 14, caught off Brad Evans, leaving West Indies at 55/2 in the powerplay. The Caribbean side regrouped with Shimron Hetmyer unleashing a ferocious assault, smashing five consecutive sixes in one over to race to the fastest half-century by a West Indies batter in T20 World Cup history, reaching the milestone off just 19 balls.

As of the latest updates around mid-innings, West Indies stood at 142/2 after 12.4 overs, with a current run rate exceeding 11. Hetmyer and Rovman Powell built a blistering partnership, accelerating the scoring with explosive hitting. Live forecasts projected West Indies could post around 221 if the momentum continued, giving them a formidable total on the batting-friendly Wankhede pitch.

Zimbabwe's bowlers, including Ngarava and Evans, applied early pressure with tight lines and variations, but the West Indies middle order's firepower shifted the momentum. The match marks the first Super 8 meeting between the sides in this tournament, though West Indies hold a historical edge, having defeated Zimbabwe by 31 runs in their only prior T20 World Cup clash in 2022.

The venue, Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, has hosted several high-scoring thrillers during the tournament, with dew often playing a role in evening games. Zimbabwe's decision to bowl first aimed to exploit any early movement and chase under lights, a strategy that has paid dividends for teams in recent matches here.

Fans can follow live scores and ball-by-ball commentary on major platforms including ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, ICC.tv, and official broadcaster sites. In India, Star Sports Network provides television coverage, with live streaming available on JioHotstar (formerly Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema merger). Internationally, Willow TV serves North American audiences, while Sky Sports covers the UK and Ireland. Free streaming is accessible via ICC.tv in select territories, though a VPN may be required for geo-restricted regions.

Radio commentary is available through BBC Radio 5 Live Sport for UK listeners, with ball-by-ball updates and expert analysis. In the Caribbean, regional broadcasters like Flow Sports and ESPN Caribbean offer live radio feeds. Digital audio streams can be found on the ICC app or tournament websites.

Video highlights will be posted shortly after key moments on official ICC YouTube channels, ESPNcricinfo, and social media platforms. Full match replays and condensed highlights packages typically appear within hours of the game's conclusion on ICC.tv and partner sites.

This fixture holds significant implications for Group 1 standings, featuring India, South Africa, West Indies, and Zimbabwe. A strong performance here could bolster West Indies' semifinal prospects, while Zimbabwe seeks an upset to keep their campaign alive. Earlier in the Super 8s, India faced South Africa the previous day, adding to the group's competitive intensity.

West Indies' batting depth, led by Hetmyer's aggression and contributions from Powell and others, has been a highlight of their tournament run. Zimbabwe, relying on all-rounders like Raza and disciplined bowling, aims to restrict the opposition and chase effectively.

As the match progresses into the middle overs, spectators at the packed Wankhede anticipate more fireworks. The pitch offers good bounce and carry, favoring stroke-makers, while spinners may come into play later.

For those unable to watch live, scorecards and updates remain available on Livescore.com, Sofascore, and NDTV Sports. The game underscores the T20 World Cup's global appeal, drawing massive viewership across continents.

With the tournament entering its decisive phase, this clash promises drama, big hits, and potential twists as both teams chase a spot in the last four.