Super 8 campaign begins . . .Raza leads unbeaten, fearless Chevrons

ZIMBABWE walk into Mumbai unbeaten, fearless and carrying the weight of a nation that now believes this World Cup run is no fluke, as they prepare for a heavyweight Super Eight clash against two‑time champions West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium today.

The Chevrons arrived from Sri Lanka at the weekend knowing the real grind begins now, with a brutal run that pitches them against the Windies first, before dates with hosts India later this week and neighbours South Africa next Sunday — a stretch that will test how deep this belief truly runs inside Justin Sammons’ dressing room.

Confidence is flowing after Zimbabwe topped Group B without defeat, a run built on discipline, smart cricket and composure under pressure.

From the outset Sammons had set the Super 8 as the target, but the mood inside the camp has shifted, the players now sensing something bigger is within reach after proving they belong at this level.

“There’s a belief in the group that we can most definitely get to the semi‑final. Obviously that means we’re going to have to be at our very best,” said Sammons.

“If we continue to execute our skills under pressure it will give us a chance. There are going to be crowds that our players have not experienced before.

“It’ll be the first time for them. Playing under lights is also different for us. So all those factors will come into it. But I certainly do have a belief that we can cause a few upsets.”

Zimbabwe step into this phase again tagged as outsiders, but their clash with West Indies could shape their path to the last four and set the tone for everything that follows.

The immediate challenge is clear. The Windies arrive with explosive batting power that has defined their campaign, a line‑up packed with hitters capable of tearing games apart within a handful of overs.

They remain one of the most feared sides in this format, champions in 2012 and 2016, and determined to push deep once again.

Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer and Shefarne Rutherford have carried much of their charge, their form turning the Caribbean side into a dangerous unit that punishes any lapse.

Zimbabwe counter with a side built on balance and collective grit, and they will need every ounce of it on a Wankhede surface known for fast scoring and short boundaries that favour aggressive stroke play.

Their pace attack has led the charge so far. Blessing Muzarabani with nine wickets and Bradley Evans with eight have shared 17 between them in just three completed matches, striking early and squeezing teams when it matters most. At the top of the order Brian Bennett has been both anchor and aggressor, piling up 175 runs with two half‑centuries and giving Zimbabwe stability in every innings.

His opening stand with Tadiwa Marumani has repeatedly set the platform whether Zimbabwe bat first or chase, and once again the pair will be expected to blunt the new ball and seize early momentum.

Captain Sikandar Raza remains the heartbeat of the side, leading with authority and contributing crucial runs, often alongside Ryan Burl who has steadied the middle overs and finished tight contests with calm heads.

Zimbabwe arrive convinced their place here was earned, not gifted, and the unbeaten run has only strengthened that conviction inside the camp.

Many expected the run to stall, but instead Zimbabwe marched through the group stage, knocking over former champions Australia and Sri Lanka in performances that forced the cricket world to take notice.

The win over Australia carried historic weight, but the chase against Sri Lanka in front of a packed home crowd revealed the team’s nerve, composure and growing self‑belief under pressure.

Now they step into a group packed with unbeaten sides, alongside India, South Africa and West Indies — a brutal line‑up that leaves no room for off days.

History offers little comfort. The sides have met only four times in T20 internationals since their first clash in Trinidad in 2010, which Zimbabwe won by 26 runs, but the Windies have since taken control of the rivalry with three wins, including a 31‑run victory at the 2022 World Cup in Hobart.

West Indies coach Darren Sammy insists his side is taking nothing for granted as they prepare for another confident Zimbabwe performance.

“Like us they are very confident, they are playing some good cricket,” Sammy said.
“T20 is a format that brings teams closer together. There’s no clear‑cut winner. These guys have played well. Zimbabwe missing out on the last World Cup, they are led well. Sikandar is very confident. He leads by example.

“They’ve got six fans in the stands that sound like one million. There are a lot of things that are going for them. I could understand from that standpoint where nobody gives you a chance and how you could use that as inspiration.”

Sammy believes the gap between so‑called smaller teams and traditional powers continues to shrink, with this tournament showing how quickly games can swing.

“This tournament we had 20 teams. Especially in our group everybody won a game. The Associate teams have really pushed the full members.

“It says that the game is growing especially in the shorter format. One person could actually impact the game on winning or losing,” he said.

With both teams unbeaten and brimming with confidence, today’s clash carries the feel of a defining moment — the kind of match that can turn a strong campaign into a genuine title charge or snap momentum in an instant.