West Indies and Zimbabwe have met only a handful of times in men’s T20 International cricket, but their encounters have produced several memorable performances. The rivalry began with a surprise Zimbabwe victory in 2010, followed by two West Indies wins in 2013. The teams then met again at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2022, before facing each other in the Super Eight stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup. West Indies vs Zimbabwe Head-to-Head in T20I
As of September 2026, West Indies lead the overall T20I head-to-head 4-1, according to available records. Their latest meeting came on February 23, 2026, when West Indies defeated Zimbabwe by 107 runs in Mumbai.
This article looks at the complete head-to-head record, important matches, batting and bowling performances, and the major moments from the rivalry.
West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20I Head-to-Head Record
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Total T20I matches | 5 |
| West Indies wins | 4 |
| Zimbabwe wins | 1 |
| No Result | 0 |
| Latest meeting | 23 February 2026 |
| Latest winner | West Indies |
| Biggest West Indies win | 107 runs |
| Biggest Zimbabwe win | 26 runs |
The two sides first met in a T20I at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad on February 28, 2010. Zimbabwe won that match by 26 runs. West Indies subsequently won both T20Is during Zimbabwe’s 2013 tour of the Caribbean. The teams then met at the 2022 and 2026 T20 World Cups, with West Indies winning both. West Indies vs Zimbabwe Head-to-Head in T20I
First T20I Meeting – Zimbabwe Shock West Indies
The first T20I between the two nations took place in 2010. Zimbabwe produced an impressive performance after being bowled out for 105 in 19.5 overs.
Elton Chigumbura top-scored with 34 from 19 deliveries, while Greg Lamb contributed 20. Zimbabwe’s bowling attack then restricted West Indies to 79/7 from their 20 overs.
Denesh Ramdin remained unbeaten on 23, but West Indies could not recover from the early wickets. Zimbabwe therefore won by 26 runs, creating a memorable opening chapter in the rivalry.
West Indies Respond in 2013
West Indies and Zimbabwe met twice in T20Is during Zimbabwe’s 2013 tour of the Caribbean.
First T20I – West Indies Won by 8 Wickets
The first match was played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on March 2, 2013.
Zimbabwe scored 130/8 in 20 overs. West Indies then chased the target comfortably, reaching 131/2 with 23 balls remaining.
The victory gave West Indies their first T20I win over Zimbabwe after the defeat in 2010.
Second T20I – West Indies Won by 41 Runs
The second match took place at the same venue on March 3, 2013.
West Indies scored 158/7, with the batting side establishing control through the innings. Zimbabwe managed 117/6 in reply, giving West Indies a 41-run victory.
Lendl Simmons was particularly impressive during the two-match series. He scored 104 runs across the two games, averaging 104.00. Hamilton Masakadza and Dwayne Bravo also scored 62 runs each. Samuel Badree and Dwayne Bravo finished the series with four wickets apiece.
West Indies therefore completed a 2-0 T20I series victory in 2013.
2022 T20 World Cup – West Indies Win by 31 Runs
The next T20I meeting came almost a decade later at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Hobart on October 19, 2022.
West Indies batted first and scored 153/7 in 20 overs. Zimbabwe’s chase struggled against the West Indies bowling attack and ended at 122 all out in 18.2 overs.
West Indies won by 31 runs.
The standout performer was fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, who claimed 4 wickets for just 16 runs. His spell played a major role in preventing Zimbabwe from building a successful chase.
The victory also meant that West Indies extended their overall advantage over Zimbabwe.
2026 T20 World Cup – West Indies Produce a Record Performance
The most recent meeting between West Indies and Zimbabwe was played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 23, 2026, during the Super Eight stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
It was by far the most one-sided result between the teams.
West Indies scored an enormous 254/6 in 20 overs, powered by spectacular innings from Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell.
Hetmyer smashed 85 from only 34 balls, including seven fours and six sixes. Powell added 59 from 35 balls, with four fours and four sixes.
West Indies hit 19 sixes during the innings, setting a new record for sixes in a men’s T20 World Cup innings at the time. Their 254/6 was also the second-highest team total in men’s T20 World Cup history.
Zimbabwe’s chase never reached the required level. The team was dismissed for 147 in 17.4 overs, giving West Indies a huge 107-run victory.
Gudakesh Motie was one of the key bowlers, taking 4/28, while Akeal Hosein claimed three wickets.
The 107-run margin became West Indies’ biggest T20I win against Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe’s biggest defeat by runs in T20Is at that point.
Head-to-Head Results by Match
| Year | Tournament/Series | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Zimbabwe tour of West Indies | Zimbabwe | 26 runs |
| 2013 | Zimbabwe tour of West Indies | West Indies | 8 wickets |
| 2013 | Zimbabwe tour of West Indies | West Indies | 41 runs |
| 2022 | T20 World Cup | West Indies | 31 runs |
| 2026 | T20 World Cup | West Indies | 107 runs |
The results show an interesting progression. Zimbabwe won the first encounter, but West Indies have won the four meetings since then.
Batting Performances in the Rivalry
Several West Indies batters have produced important performances against Zimbabwe.
In the 2013 series, Lendl Simmons was the leading run-scorer with 104 runs from two innings. Dwayne Bravo also made 62 runs.
The 2026 encounter produced the biggest individual batting performances in the rivalry. Shimron Hetmyer scored 85 from 34 balls, while Rovman Powell made 59 from 35 balls. Their partnership and aggressive strokeplay helped West Indies reach 254/6.
For Zimbabwe, the 2026 match saw Brad Evans score 43, but the rest of the batting order could not maintain the required scoring rate.
Bowling Performances
Bowling has also played a major role in this matchup.
For Zimbabwe, Graeme Cremer produced an important performance during the 2010 victory, while the Zimbabwe bowling attack successfully restricted West Indies to 79/7.
For West Indies, Samuel Badree and Dwayne Bravo both took four wickets during the 2013 T20I series.
Alzarri Joseph then starred in 2022 with 4/16, and Gudakesh Motie took 4/28 in the 2026 World Cup match.
These performances demonstrate how West Indies have increasingly been able to control Zimbabwe’s batting through quality pace and spin bowling.
T20 World Cup Head-to-Head
The two teams have now met twice in the men’s T20 World Cup.
- 2022: West Indies won by 31 runs.
- 2026: West Indies won by 107 runs.
Therefore, West Indies currently have a 2-0 record against Zimbabwe in T20 World Cup matches. The 2026 meeting was particularly significant because Zimbabwe had reached the Super Eight stage after an impressive group-stage campaign.
Overall Rivalry Analysis
The head-to-head numbers clearly show West Indies ahead, with four wins from five T20Is. However, the rivalry has developed across different eras.
Zimbabwe’s 2010 victory demonstrated that the team could challenge West Indies in the shortest format. West Indies then established control with consecutive wins in 2013. Their victories in the 2022 and 2026 T20 World Cups further extended that advantage.
The 2026 match represented the largest gap between the sides in a T20I. West Indies’ 254/6 showcased their powerful batting depth, while their spinners successfully restricted Zimbabwe during the chase.
At the same time, the relatively small number of T20I meetings means the head-to-head record should be viewed in context. The teams have not played each other regularly in bilateral T20I cricket.
Conclusion
The West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20I head-to-head record currently stands at 4-1 in favour of West Indies. Zimbabwe won the first meeting in 2010, but West Indies responded with four consecutive victories.
The 2013 series established West Indies’ dominance, while the 2022 T20 World Cup victory continued that trend. The 2026 World Cup meeting produced the biggest result of the rivalry, with West Indies scoring 254/6 before bowling Zimbabwe out for 147.
With explosive batters such as Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell and match-winning bowlers such as Alzarri Joseph and Gudakesh Motie having produced major performances in recent meetings, the rivalry remains an interesting contest whenever these two sides meet.
5 Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many T20Is have West Indies and Zimbabwe played?
West Indies and Zimbabwe have played five men’s T20Is as of September 2026. West Indies have won four and Zimbabwe have won one.
2. Who has won more T20Is between West Indies and Zimbabwe?
West Indies have won more matches, with four victories compared with Zimbabwe’s one.
3. When did Zimbabwe last beat West Indies in a T20I?
Zimbabwe’s only T20I victory over West Indies came on February 28, 2010, when they won by 26 runs at Queen’s Park Oval.
4. What was the biggest West Indies win over Zimbabwe in T20Is?
West Indies’ biggest win came in the 2026 T20 World Cup, when they defeated Zimbabwe by 107 runs in Mumbai.
5. Who scored the highest individual score in the latest West Indies vs Zimbabwe T20I?
Shimron Hetmyer scored the highest individual innings in the latest meeting, making 85 runs from 34 balls in the 2026 T20 World Cup.