In the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026, West Indies spinners Gudakesh Motie and Akeal Hosein showcased their remarkable talent during the match against Zimbabwe. Motie completed his four-over spell with four wickets, conceding just 28 runs, while Hosein mirrored his performance by taking three wickets for the same run tally. Together, they claimed seven wickets for a mere 56 runs in eight overs, leading the West Indies to a dominant 107-run victory at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Former South African cricketer Faf du Plessis praised their efforts, noting, “I saw them in South Africa and have played alongside and against both. They are exceptional spinners. If there’s any assistance from the pitch, they’ll capitalize on it.” However, he cautioned that their true test lies ahead against the batting lineups of India and South Africa.
“The real challenge will be when they face a strong left-handed batting order in India. South Africa managed to handle them well during their T20I series earlier this year,” du Plessis added.
This victory positions the Caribbean team at the top of Group 1 in the Super 8 stage with two points and a net run rate (NRR) of +5.350. Their upcoming matches include a clash against South Africa on February 26 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, followed by a showdown with Team India on March 1 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The Shai Hope-led squad will be counting on Brandon King and Shimron Hetmyer to deliver substantial performances in these crucial encounters.
West Indies’ squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 includes:
Jason Holder, Johnson Charles (WK), Akeal Hosein, Roston Chase, Shai Hope (C) (WK), Gudakesh Motie, Brandon King, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovaman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, Matthew Forde, Quentin Sampson, Shamar Joseph.