Zimbabwe suffers first defeat at T20 World Cup

The Zimbabwe national cricket team endured their first loss of the ongoing T20 World Cup on Monday, falling by 107 runs to the West Indies at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India.

The match marked Zimbabwe's opening fixture in the Super 8 stage, where they still have two crucial games remaining.

Zimbabwe struggled in the field, allowing the West Indies to post a mammoth total of 254 runs in their 20 overs  -  the second-highest in T20 World Cup history, behind Sri Lanka's 260-6 against Kenya in 2007.

Shimron Hetmyer was named Player of the Match after an explosive innings of 85 off just 34 balls, including seven sixes and seven fours. Fellow left-handed batsman Rovman Powell added 59 off 35 deliveries to help set a daunting target.

Chasing 254, Zimbabwe's batting lineup faltered early. The top order managed only 47 runs collectively, and despite a brief late resistance, the team was bowled out for 147 in 17 overs.

Brad Evans led the Zimbabwean fightback with a brisk 43 off 21 balls, while captain Sikandar Raza contributed 27 off 20 deliveries. Four other batsmen  -  Ryan Burl, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, and Graeme Cremer  -  were dismissed for ducks, further compounding the defeat.

Zimbabwe now faces tough challenges in the Super 8 stage, with a must-win encounter against India on Thursday, followed by a final group match against regional rivals South Africa on March 1. Only the top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals, meaning Zimbabwe must win both remaining matches to keep their tournament hopes alive.