Shimron Hetmyer’s explosive 85 powers West Indies to 254-6, crushing Zimbabwe by 107 runs in their Super Eights opener.

THE West Indies launched their T20 World Cup Super Eights campaign with a devastating 107-run victory over Zimbabwe on Monday. Shimron Hetmyer’s blistering 85 from 34 balls propelled the Caribbean side to a mammoth 254 for six, the second-highest total in tournament history.

Chasing a monumental 255 for victory, Zimbabwe’s chase never recovered from a disastrous start. They collapsed to 20 for three in the third over, with two wickets falling to Akeal Hosein’s left-arm spin, and were eventually bowled out for 147 in 17.4 overs.

Gudakesh Motie was the pick of the bowlers with four for 28, while Hosein took three for 28. Brad Evans provided late resistance for Zimbabwe, smashing 43 from 21 balls with five sixes before being the last man out.

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza’s decision to bowl first backfired spectacularly. Only Sri Lanka, who made 260 for six against Kenya in 2007, have scored more in a T20 World Cup match.

Hetmyer was given a life on nine when Tashinga Musekiwa dropped a routine catch at deep fine leg. The left-hander capitalised fully, racing to a 19-ball fifty to equal the fastest half-century of the tournament so far.

He shared a devastating 122-run stand with Rovman Powell off just 52 balls. Hetmyer was eventually dismissed for 85, having been dropped again on 70, after hitting seven sixes and seven fours.

Powell made a rapid 59 from 35 balls before Sherfane Rutherford (31 not out off 13) and the lower order bludgeoned 38 runs from the final two overs to push the total past 250.

 The Sun Malaysia