West Indies batter Shimron Hetmyer has said that his explosive innings against Zimbabwe “means a lot”. The left-hander played a pivotal role in his side’s 107-run victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super 8 clash at the Wankhede Stadium.
Hetmyer received Player of the Match honors after he scored 85 runs from 34 balls which included seven boundaries and seven sixes that led the West Indies to a victory total of 254 which stands as the second highest team score in T20 World Cup history.
Hetmyer expressed his appraisal of his performance during the post-match presentation by stating, “Means a lot. More so, because I didn’t get a lot in the last game. I just want to replicate the things I have been doing in the last two months.”
The left-hander who bats at No. 3 has shown that he can perform better in this position because he has learned to execute it more effectively. “Feels good. The task has become simpler since I have practiced it frequently. The support from everyone involved creates a peaceful mental environment for me,” he said.
Hetmyer matched the record for most sixes in one T20 World Cup tournament by tying Nicholas Pooran’s record of 17 maximums in the T20 World Cup 2024.
Hetmyer described his accomplishment of becoming the tournament’s joint-most six-hitter as unimportant. “I am not thinking too much about it. The achievement feels pleasant to me. We as a team haven’t accomplished anything, as this is just one game,” he noted.
The Caribbean batter achieved his current success because of his family backing him and his changed mental approach. “My family back home continues to support me which creates a better performance. He explained that he failed to stop thinking about his batting. He used to spend too much time thinking. He currently aims to reduce his thoughts because his bat will handle all situations while he responds to present challenges” he said.
The West Indies achieved a 107-run victory which enabled them to secure first place in Group 1 because their net run rate reached 5.350. The West Indies reached a total of 254 runs which they scored at 6 wickets during their first innings which became the second highest T20 World Cup total ever achieved. Shimron Hetmyer scored 85 runs from 34 deliveries which included a tournament-record 19-ball fifty for the West Indies while Rovman Powell scored 59 runs from 35 deliveries. Jason Holder and Sherfane Rutherford delivered late-game performances which enabled the team to reach a total beyond 250 runs.
Zimbabwe lost the match despite Brad Evans scoring 43 runs from 21 balls. The middle order crumbled after Gudakesh Motie took 4 wickets for 28 runs. Akeal Hosein and the pace attack maintained pressure as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 147 in 17.4 overs.
