Giant killers Zim face perfect WI

After knocking out Australia from the group-stage and marching onto the second round as group champions, Zimbabwe will faceoff against fellow unbeaten side West Indies in their Super Eights Group 1 opener in Mumbai today.

Zimbabwe, who could not even qualify for the 2024 edition, sprung stunning victories against former world champions Australia and Sri Lanka in the first round to finish atop of Group B.

Under the inspiring leadership of all-rounder Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe has already surpassed all expectations and will be daring to continue breaking new ground when they take on the Caribbean side, who also have been dominant so far, with four wins in the group-stage, including a 30-run win over England.

Before the match, West Indies coach Darren Sammy spoke highly of Zimbabwe as opponents, and termed their star pacer Blessing Muzarabani an “X-factor”.

"We plan for every single player. Not only him. He’s an X-factor,” Sammy told reporters yesterday about Muzarabani, who had taken 4-17 in Zimbabwe’s 23-run win over Australia.

“You’ve got to respect the opposition. We know the threat they bring against us but we also know what we have to do in order for him not to be threatening against us,” he added.

India and South Africa are the other two teams in Group 1, who had also finished atop their respective groups in the first round. As the Super Eights were pre-seeded before the tournament, all four group winners were placed in the same group while the runners-up were placed in Group 2.

The format has brought accusations of a lopsided second phase with two group winners certain to miss the semi-finals. However, Sammy spoke in support of the format.

“I do understand from the logistic standpoint, trying to give the fans the surety, flights, whatever,” said Sammy.