West Indies are predicted to edge past Zimbabwe in the 44th Match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a 51% win probability, primarily due to their unbeaten form and a balanced combination of power hitters and reliable bowlers. Their tactical advantage comes from Shai Hope’s in-form batting and Romario Shepherd’s wicket-taking ability, which could exploit Zimbabwe’s inconsistent middle order. This Zimbabwe vs West Indies match prediction will cover pitch behavior, weather conditions, playing XI insights, tactical battles, and fantasy cricket tips for enthusiasts looking to make informed decisions.
Zimbabwe vs West Indies Match Details
Match | Zimbabwe vs West Indies | 44th Match | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
|---|---|
Date | 23/02/2026 (Sunday) |
Time | BDT 7:30 PM / PKT 6:30 PM / INR 7:00 PM |
Format | T20 |
Venue | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
Recent performance | Zimbabwe – L W W A L, West Indies – W W W W W |
Live Streaming Details | Click here to watch the ZIM vs WI Live Stream on Sports Live Hub (SLH) |
Wankhede Stadium Pitch Report
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
The Wankhede pitch in Mumbai is traditionally a batting-friendly surface with true bounce and consistent pace, ideal for stroke-makers. Short boundaries favor aggressive hitting, making it a “run paradise” for top-order batters. However, disciplined bowlers like Graeme Cremer and Romario Shepherd can still exploit occasional tackiness or slower deliveries, especially during middle overs. This pitch report suggests high-scoring contests with potential breakthroughs for crafty bowlers.
Weather Report
Mumbai is expected to have a warm and sunny evening on match day with negligible dew factor. Clear skies will aid chasing sides, as there’s minimal impact on ball movement or fielding conditions. In this weather report context, batters are likely to dominate early, but bowlers with variations can still influence the outcome, particularly in the death overs.
ZIM vs WI Head-to-Head Records
Matches Played | 4 |
|---|---|
ZIM Won | 1 |
WI Won | 3 |
Tied | 0 |
No Result | 0 |
First-ever Fixture | February 28, 2010 |
Most-recent Fixture | October 19, 2022 |
Zimbabwe vs West Indies Team Preview & Squads
Zimbabwe
Sikandar Raza’s captaincy has been pivotal in Zimbabwe’s resurgence, especially after leading the team to a 6-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the 38th Match. His dual role as an all-rounder provides stability in both batting and bowling, making him the fulcrum of tactical plans.
Zimbabwe’s batting structure relies on Brian Bennett’s power-hitting and Raza’s ability to anchor innings. Middle-order contributions from Ryan Burl and Tadiwanashe Marumani are crucial to sustain momentum against top-tier attacks.
Bowling depth is led by Graeme Cremer, whose leg-spin variations can break partnerships in tricky phases. Blessing Muzarabani offers pace, while all-rounders like Raza and Ryan Burl provide handy overs, making Zimbabwe moderately balanced but slightly vulnerable against in-form opposition.
Zimbabwe Squad
Zimbabwe
Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Ben Curran, Brad Evans, Clive Madande †, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava
West Indies
Shai Hope leads from the front as captain, combining consistent batting form with sharp fielding. His presence at the top ensures a reliable start, while Jason Holder’s all-round prowess adds flexibility in death overs and middle-overs bowling.
West Indies’ batting depth is significant, with Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, and Brandon King offering explosive options. Hope remains the anchor, but their power-hitters can accelerate scoring beyond Zimbabwe’s bowling limitations.
Bowling is spearheaded by Shamar Joseph and Romario Shepherd, whose pace and variations challenge Zimbabwe’s top and middle order. Akeal Hosein and Jason Holder provide spin options, making the bowling attack versatile and capable of exploiting Wankhede’s rare tacky patches.
West Indies Squad
West Indies
Shai Hope † (c), Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd
ZIM vs WI Prediction
Event | Zimbabwe | West Indies |
|---|---|---|
Toss Winner | – | West Indies |
Player of the Match | – | Shai Hope |
Top Run Scorer | Brian Bennett | Shai Hope |
Top Wicket Taker | Sikandar Raza | Romario Shepherd |
Most Sixes | Brian Bennett | Shai Hope |
Predicted Score | 180+ | 190+ |
Win Probability | 49% | 51% |
Zimbabwe vs West Indies Winning Prediction
West Indies are projected to win this ZIM vs WI match with a 51% probability, leveraging Shai Hope’s batting dominance and Shepherd’s knack for taking critical wickets. Zimbabwe will fight through Raza and Bennett, but West Indies’ momentum and deeper squad make them the likely victors. Will Raza’s all-round brilliance be enough to upset WI’s unbeaten form? Follow JeetBuzz for live updates, detailed stats, and tactical analysis to stay ahead in fantasy cricket tips and match predictions.
FAQ: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 44th Match
Q1: What time does the Zimbabwe vs West Indies 44th Match start?
The match starts at IST 7:00 PM on 23 February 2026.
Q2: Where can I watch the ZIM vs WI live stream?
Watch the live stream on Sports Live Hub (SLH).
Q3: Who is the key player to watch in this match?
Shai Hope is the key player, likely to influence both batting and fielding outcomes.
