Zimbabwe and West Indies head into their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash unbeaten, making this 44th match a pivotal battle for Group 1 supremacy at Wankhede Stadium. Both teams eye semi-final spots in a group stacked with heavyweights like India and South Africa.
This is the 44th Match, Super 8 Group 1, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, set for Monday, February 23, 2026, starting at 7:00 PM IST (which aligns with 6:30 PM local Mumbai time). The iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai hosts the night fixture under lights.
Wankhede’s pitch is a classic batter’s delight, offering true bounce, short boundaries, and pace that rewards power-hitters as the game progresses—though early swing helps pacers with the new ball. Spinners might find grip later, but expect high-scoring chases around 170-180. Weather looks perfect: clear skies, no rain, temperatures 25-29°C, and humidity around 60% for uninterrupted play.
With both sides perfect from group stages, a win here catapults the victor toward the top two in Group 1, boosting net run rate and semi-final chances. Zimbabwe chases history as their strongest side in years, while West Indies aim to revive 2012/2016 glory after recent slumps. It’s do-or-die momentum in a tournament where adaptability under lights at Wankhede could define legacies.
Zimbabwe stunned everyone, beating Australia by 23 runs (169/2 vs 146) and Sri Lanka by six wickets, plus an easy Oman win—rain aiding their Super 8 entry over the Aussies. Brian Bennett’s fireworks have fueled this dream run. West Indies dominated too: thrashed England here, crushed Nepal convincingly, and beat Italy by 42 runs (165/6 vs 123), bowling foes out early thrice.
WI vs ZIM Match Details
- Match: Zimbabwe vs West Indies, 44th Match,
- Teams: ZIM vs WI
- Date: 23 Feb 2026
- Time: 6:30 PM 1:30 PM GMT / 7:00 PM LOCAL
- Venue: Wankhede Stadium
T20 World 2026 Live Streaming Info
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 kicks off on February 7, 2026, and wraps up with the final on March 8, 2026. Hosted across India and Sri Lanka with 20 teams, it spans about a month—group stages from early February, Super 8s mid-month, semis late February/early March, and the final in Colombo or Mumbai.
- In India, tune into Star Sports Network (Star Sports 1, Star Sports 2) or stream on Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema.
- Pakistan viewers can watch on PTV Sports, A Sports, or Ten Sports, with streaming available on Tapmad and Tamasha.
- For Sri Lanka, options include SLRC, Channel Eye, and Siyatha TV on TV, plus Sri Lanka Cricket YouTube and Dialog ViU online.
- UK fans have Sky Sports Cricket, TNT Sports 1, and talkSPORT on television, alongside Sky Go, Discovery+, and NOW TV for streaming.
- In South Africa, SuperSport covers it on TV and via their app.
- Australia might check Fox Sports for TV and Kayo Sports for live streams.
- USA and Canada: Willow TV on TV, Sling TV or Willow HD app for streaming.
- New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ on TV and Sky Go app.
- Bangladesh: Gazi TV (GTV) and Rabith BD app.
- Afghanistan: RTA Sport and Ariana TV.
Rest of the world: ICC.tv for free streaming where no local rights holder exists. Subscriptions often apply, and VPNs can assist with geo-blocks where permitted.
How to Watch the Match for Free:
Catch every boundary without paying via these official free options, perfect for fans in Pakistan and beyond.
Pakistan: PTV Sports broadcasts all matches live for free on TV via terrestrial, cable, and satellite—no subscription needed.
Live Streaming Info:
The 44th T20 World Cup match will be live on Star Sports.
Live Score Info:
ICC T20 World Cup 2026: All matches on ESPN and Cricbuzz have live scores.
Probable XIs
Zimbabwe Probable XI: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza, Dion Myers, Tony Munyonga, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Evans Chatara, Carl Mumba, Wellington Masakadza.
West Indies Probable XI: Brandon King, Shai Hope (capt & wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph.
Head-to-Head
In T20Is, West Indies lead Zimbabwe 3-1 across four meetings (no ties or no-results noted). WI’s edge shows in chases and defenses. Last five? They’ve met only four times, but recent: WI won by 31 runs (153/7 vs 122) in 2022 T20 WC; earlier WI romp in 2010 by defending low total; Zim’s lone 2010 win by 26 runs. Expect WI experience to shine, but Zim’s upset form flips scripts.
Zimbabwe Analysis
Strengths: Explosive batting led by Brian Bennett (unbeaten 64 vs Aus), solid all-round depth, and pace from Blessing Muzarabani’s bounce—perfect for Wankhede new ball. Weaknesses: Limited India exposure since 2016, day-night nerves, and spin vulnerability on turning tracks. Key players: Bennett (form horse), Ryan Burl (middle-order anchor), Richard Ngarava (returning pacer). Recent momentum screams confidence, but top-order collapse risks lurk.
West Indies Analysis
Strengths: Power-packed batting (Shai Hope’s captain knocks, Shimron Hetmyer/Rovman Powell finishers), lethal pace (Shamar Joseph 4/30 vs Italy, Jason Holder’s experience), and spin control from Gudakesh Motie/Akeal Hosein. Weaknesses: Middle-order fragility if openers falter, occasional bowling leaks on flat tracks. Key players: Hope (POTM vibes), Sherfane Rutherford (firepower), Romario Shepherd (back, death expert). They’ve owned Wankhede already, beating England convincingly.
Key Talking Points
Zimbabwe’s adaptation from Sri Lankan slowness to Wankhede pace—can Muzarabani trouble WI openers? West Indies’ venue mastery vs Zim’s upset magic: Bennett vs Joseph’s slingy yorkers. Romario Shepherd’s return adds death bite, while Ngarava replaces veteran Cremer for bounce. Unbeaten streaks on line; toss for dew could sway chase.
West Indies hold the edge with superior firepower, Wankhede nous, and head-to-head dominance—expect them to post 170+ and defend via pace trio. Zimbabwe’s form tempts an upset, but WI’s experience tips it: West Indies by 15-20 runs or 6 wickets. Squad depth and conditions favor the Calypso kings in this thriller.