T20 World Cup 2022, WI vs ZIM: Pacers' brilliance leads West Indies to a clinical win

Rovman Powell played a crucial knock [Source: Twitter]

Riding on a priceless cameo from Rovman Powell and a spectacular four-for from Alzarri Joseph, West Indies swatted aside Zimbabwe by 31 runs in the eighth group stage encounter of the ongoing T20 World Cup at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart. The Caribbean Men have kept their Super 12 qualification hopes alive with this much-needed victory. 

Rovman Powell's late blitz powers West Indies to 153

After opting to bat first, West Indies got off to a decent start, with Kyle Mayers and Johnson Charles adding 28 runs for the first wicket. Blessing Muzarabani drew the first blood for Zimbabwe, dismissing Mayers for 13 runs in the fourth over. Then, Johnson Charles and Evin Lewis steadied the ship by adding 49 runs in 38 balls. While Lewis contributed a mere 15, Charles smashed three fours and two sixes for his 36-ball 45. 

After Charles' departure, a collapse was triggered by Sikandar Raza, who wreaked havoc in the Caribbean camp by quickly removing Shamarh Brooks and Jason Holder. 

However, swashbuckling batter Rovman Powell put up a fight with his 21-ball 28, as the Men in Maroon finished on 153 for 7 in 20 overs. Akeal Hosein supported Powell at the other end, contributing handy 23 runs. 

Raza was the pick of the bowlers from Zimbabwe, scalping three wickets for nineteen runs. 

Zimbabwe crumble as West Indies have the last laugh

Zimbabwe began the chase extraordinarily, with Wesley Madhevere and skipper Regis Chakabva racing to 29 before the latter was dismissed in the third over. This triggered Zimbabwe's collapse as West Indies stormed their way back into the match, scalping four more wickets in the next thirty deliveries. 

Tony Munyonga was cleaned up by Alzarri Joseph, while Williams, Madhevere and Sikandar Raza were sent back to the dugout by McCoy, Holder and Odean Smith, respectively. 

Although Luke Jongwe (29 off 22) fought with the utmost bravery, Joseph castled him to hit the final nail in Zimbabwe's coffin in the 18th over. 

Joseph emerged as West Indies' most successful bowler, picking four wickets for 16 runs. 

Brief Scores

West Indies: 153/7 (20)
Johnson Charles 45 (36), Rovman Powell 28 (21);
Sikandar Raza 3/19 (4), Blessing Muzarabani 2/38 (4)

Zimbabwe: 122 (18.2)
Luke Jongwe 29 (22), Wesley Madhevere 27 (19);
Alzarri Joseph 4/16 (4), Jason Holder 3/12 (3.2)

West Indies won by 31 runs.

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2022: Five records that could be broken in the tournament