Two years ago, Zimbabwe was absent from the T20 World Cup. Now they arrive at the Super Eights stage unbeaten, and with renewed belief.
Their journey has been built on discipline with the ball and calm under pressure with the bat. In Colombo, fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani dismantled Australia on a slow surface. Days later, Zimbabwe’s top order chased down 189 against Sri Lanka, silencing a home crowd in Khettarama.
Brian Bennett has anchored the batting with successive half-centuries, while captain Sikandar Raza has supplied late acceleration. Muzarabani and Brad Evans both feature among the tournament’s leading wicket-takers.
But their next assignment in Mumbai presents a different challenge. Zimbabwe played all their group matches in Sri Lanka. West Indies, by contrast, have already featured twice at the Wankhede Stadium. That familiarity could prove important.
The red-soil pitch in Mumbai is known for its bounce and has helped both seamers and spinners in this tournament. Pace bowlers have claimed 35 wickets at the venue, while spinners are close behind with 34, each averaging just over 26.
The surface used earlier in the competition produced fewer than 300 runs in total, suggesting bowlers may once again have a say.
On paper, West Indies appear the stronger batting side. Captain Shai Hope has struck back-to-back fifties and provides stability at the top. Shimron Hetmyer has rediscovered form at number three, while Sherfane Rutherford has impressed as a finisher.
West Indies also have flexibility in their bowling options. With Romario Shepherd recovering from injury, they could field three specialist quicks alongside three spin options. That balance suits conditions in Mumbai.
Shepherd trained with strapping on his right leg and struck the ball cleanly in practice, though his bowling workload remains under observation. If declared fit, he may replace Matthew Forde.
Zimbabwe’s hopes rest heavily on Muzarabani. Standing tall with pace and accuracy, he has been effective both with the new ball and in the closing overs. His ability to extract bounce and mix shorter deliveries with variations makes him difficult to line up.
Zimbabwe are unlikely to make major changes to their side. However, they may consider bringing in Richard Ngarava if they seek additional pace.
The fixture carries added weight. Both teams still have matches against India and South Africa to come. An early victory would ease pressure and strengthen semi-final ambitions.
Head-to-head history offers little guidance. The two sides have met only four times in T20 internationals. Zimbabwe’s progress has already defied expectations. Their unbeaten run suggests resilience and balance. Yet the West Indies arrive equally confident.
In Mumbai, momentum will matter. So will adaptability. For Zimbabwe, this match offers a chance to prove that their resurgence is more than a fleeting run of form. For the West Indies, it is an opportunity to assert their depth and experience on a stage that demands both.
