MUMBAI: The West Indies etched their name into the record books on Monday after piling up a staggering 254-6 against Zimbabwe at the Wankhede Stadium, recording the second-highest total in the history of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
The two-time champions’ 254 in 20 overs now trails only Sri Lanka’s 260-6 against Kenya in the inaugural 2007 edition.
It is also the highest total of the ongoing 2026 tournament, surpassing Ireland’s 235-5 against Oman earlier in the competition.
Highest totals at ICC Men’s T20 World Cups
Sri Lanka – 260-6 (2007)
West Indies – 254-6 (2026)
Ireland – 235-5 (2026)
England – 230-8 (2016)
South Africa – 229-4 (2016)
While it was a historic effort on the World Cup stage, the total stands as West Indies’ third-highest in overall T20 Internationals, behind their 258-5 against South Africa in 2023 and 256-5 versus Ireland in 2022.
The charge was led by Shimron Hetmyer, who delivered a breathtaking 85 off just 34 balls, smashing seven sixes and seven fours in a brutal display of power-hitting.
Walking in at No.3 with the score at 17-1 in 2.4 overs, the left-hander turned the innings on its head with an aggressive counterattack.
Hetmyer brought up his half-century in just 19 balls, the joint-fastest of the ongoing tournament, equalling South Africa captain Aiden Markram and Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka.
For the West Indies, it is the fourth-fastest T20I half-century in their history.
Shai Hope tops the list with a 16-ball fifty against Bangladesh in 2018, followed by Chris Gayle (17 balls), Evin Lewis (18 balls) and now Hetmyer’s 19-ball blitz.
Kieron Pollard’s 20-ball half-century against Australia in 2012 completes the elite list.
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