West Indies Unleash Batting Fury to Record Historic T20 World Cup Total
The West Indies cricket team delivered an unforgettable batting performance on Monday, posting the second-highest team total ever recorded in the history of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. This monumental effort came during their Super 8 stage clash against Zimbabwe at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in the 2026 edition of the tournament.
A Record-Breaking Innings of Sheer Power
The Men in Maroon amassed a staggering 254 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. This colossal score is surpassed only by Sri Lanka's 260/6 against Kenya during the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup in Johannesburg. Remarkably, this marks just the second instance in the tournament's history where a team has crossed the formidable 250-run barrier.
Furthermore, the total established a new record against Zimbabwe in T20 Internationals, eclipsing India's previous best of 234/2 set in Harare back in 2024. The West Indian innings was characterized by explosive hitting, featuring a remarkable 19 sixes. This equals the joint-highest number of maximums in a single T20 World Cup innings, matching the Netherlands' effort against Ireland in Sylhet during the 2014 tournament.
The Foundation of a Historic Score
Despite being asked to bat first, the West Indies did not have an ideal start. Openers Brandon King and Shai Hope fell early for 9 and 14 runs respectively, with the team reaching 55/2 at the conclusion of the powerplay overs. However, the innings was spectacularly ignited by the left-handed dynamo, Shimron Hetmyer.
Hetmyer launched a breathtaking assault on the Zimbabwean bowlers. He hammered two consecutive sixes off Graeme Cremer before plundering 20 runs in a single over from Sikandar Raza. This explosive batting brought up a scintillating 19-ball half-century, the fastest fifty ever by a West Indian batsman in T20 World Cup history. At the halfway mark of their innings, the West Indies had accelerated to 115/2, setting the stage for a massive total.
Partnerships and Cameos Seal the Deal
Hetmyer and captain Rovman Powell forged a devastating partnership, adding 122 crucial runs for the third wicket. Powell complemented Hetmyer's fury with a composed 29-ball fifty of his own. Hetmyer's innings of 85 runs from just 34 deliveries, featuring seven fours and seven sixes, provided the core foundation before he was eventually dismissed.
Despite losing a few late wickets, the West Indies' lower order ensured the momentum was not lost. Vital cameos from all-rounders Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder, combined with an unbeaten 31 off 13 balls from Sherfane Rutherford, propelled the team to their final, record-shattering total of 254/6.
Historical Context and Tournament Standing
This innings also marked the West Indies' third 250-plus total in T20 Internationals, tying them with Zimbabwe for the joint-second most such scores by any team. The performance underscores their reputation as one of the most fearsome batting line-ups in the shortest format of the game.
The updated list of highest team totals in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup now features the West Indies' 254/6 prominently in second place, a testament to their power-hitting prowess on the global stage.
