MUMBAI: Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza won the toss and elected to field first against a formidable and unbeaten West Indies in the T20 World Cup Super Eight match at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday.
The match marks a significant step for Zimbabwe, who have exceeded all expectations by entering the second round of the tournament undefeated.
The Chevrons, who famously failed to qualify for the World Cup two years ago, have been the story of the tournament so far.
Victories over Australia on a slow Colombo pitch and a commanding chase of 189 against Sri Lanka in front of a hostile Khettarama crowd have propelled them into the Super Eights.
Their success has been built on collective effort, with young Brian Bennett hitting fifties, captain Raza providing quick-fire cameos, and a pace attack that has consistently delivered.
Muzarabani the Key Threat
All eyes will be on Zimbabwe’s pace spearhead, Blessing Muzarabani, who has been in devastating form.
Currently among the tournament’s top-ten wicket-takers, Muzarabani possesses a rare combination of height, pace, and immaculate discipline on challenging lengths.
His ability to strike with the new ball having previously shut down Australia, and his variations at the death make him a threat in any conditions.
He will be crucial to Zimbabwe’s hopes of containing a powerful West Indian lineup.
West Indies’ Batting Might and Team News
West Indies enter the match with a perfect record and a clear, aggressive batting approach.
The architect of their success has been captain Shai Hope, who is operating as an “upgraded anchor.”
Coming off two consecutive fifties, the latter against Nepal saw him power through despite wickets falling at the other end, Hope provides the glue that allows the big hitters around him to flourish.
With a rejuvenated Shimron Hetmyer at No. 3 and the solid finishing of Sherfane Rutherford, the Caribbean side looks dangerous.
In a boost for the two-time champions, all-rounder Romario Shepherd has been declared fit to return after a leg injury.
Although he looked slightly uncomfortable while bowling in the warm-ups, his inclusion could provide the ideal balance of three fast bowlers and three spinners.
He is expected to replace Matthew Forde in the playing XI.
Pitch and Conditions
The match is being played on a red-soil pitch at the Wankhede, the same surface used for the low-scoring game between India and USA where bowlers dominated.
Known for providing good bounce, it is expected to assist the spinners.
Historically at this venue during the tournament, quicks (35 wickets) and spinners (34 wickets) have been equally effective, with near-identical averages.
The weather is clear with a gentle breeze, promising an uninterrupted contest.
What’s at Stake
With formidable matches against India and South Africa looming for both sides, this opening Super Eight fixture is crucial for gaining early momentum on the points table.
While West Indies look stronger on paper player-for-player, Zimbabwe’s unwavering team spirit and ability to adapt, having played all their group games in Sri Lanka, make them a genuine handful in Mumbai.
Zimbabwe: 1 Brian Bennett, 2 Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), 3 Dion Myers, 4 Sikandar Raza (capt), 5 Ryan Burl, 6 Tony Munyonga 7 Tashinga Musekiwa, 8 Brad Evans, 9 Wellington Masakadza, 10 Graeme Cremer/Richard Ngarava, 11 Blessing Muzarabani
West Indies: 1 Brandon King, 2 Shai Hope (capt & wk), 3 Shimron Hetmyer, 4 Roston Chase, 5 Rovman Powell, 6 Sherfane Rutherford, 7 Jason Holder, 8 Romario Shepherd/Matthew Forde, 9 Akeal Hosain, 10 Shamar Joseph, 11 Gudakesh Motie.
