T20 World Cup 2026: ZIM vs WI Today's Match Prediction, Super 8, Group 1 — Who will win today’s match?

Match Preview

Zimbabwe and West Indies clash in Match 44, their first of the Super Eights of the T20 World Cup 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Monday, February 23. 

Zimbabwe have had a dream run so far. The African side brushed aside Oman in their first match with a thumping win and followed it up with a big scalp of Australia. Their third game against Ireland was a washout at Pallekele which confirmed their entry into the Super Eights while they stunned Sri Lanka in the last group-stage match at Khettarama to finish on top.

Most of the players for the Men in Red are firing. Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza, Brad Evans, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, among others, are the players in-form. Zimbabwe can back themselves to win on Monday night with their skills and current form. However, one big challenge for them would be adapting to Indian conditions as they have played all their four matches in Sri Lanka until now.

Talking about the locations, their opposition West Indies have played all their matches in India and, more importantly, two of those games were scheduled at the Wankhede itself. The familiarity with the conditions does give an advantage to the Men from the Caribbean, but in a T20 game, anything can happen on the day and the permutations can go for a toss.

West Indies had a fantastic run in the group stage, beating almost every opponent by a substantial margin. Just like Zimbabwe, many of their players have stepped up in different matches and the team looks very much stable and sorted ahead of the next leg.

As for team news, Romario Shepherd might be fit enough to return to the side and replace Matthew Forde. For Zimbabwe, they might add Ngarava back as the Wankhede does provide some assistance to the pacers as well, plus his variations will also come in handy on the red-soil surface.

Match Info

Venue Statistics (T20Is)

Wankhede Stadium Pitch Report and Playing Conditions:

ZIM vs WI Head-to-Head record (T20Is)

ZIM vs WI Playing XI Prediction

Zimbabwe

Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (WK), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (C), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani

West Indies

Brandon King, Shai Hope (C & WK), Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd/Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosain, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie

ZIM vs WI: Players to watch out for

Shimron Hetmyer (WI):

Hetmyer, who has been coming in to bat at number three, is among the impactful batters from the Caribbean side. The southpaw has two 40+ scores from four matches and has been accumulating his runs at the rate of 159.52. The 29-year-old can utilise the smaller boundaries at the Wankhede and tonk the off spinners over the leg side if he gets going.

Blessing Muzarabani (ZIM):

Muzarabani is the joint fourth-highest wicket-taker of the tournament right now. Notably, the lanky pacer has nine wickets to his name from four matches with an economy rate of 5.91. Although Zimbabwe have played all their matches on the bowler-friendly tracks of Colombo, Wankhede may not be too different and the pacer's variations will come in handy.

Today's Match Prediction: West Indies to win.