In the Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup 2026 against Zimbabwe, the West Indies` spinners Gudakesh Motie and Akeal Hosein displayed exceptional skills with the ball.
Having completed his spell of four overs, Motie bagged four wickets by conceding 28 runs, whereas Hosein also claimed three wickets by leaking 28 runs in four overs.
Hosein and Motie together took seven wickets for 56 runs from their eight overs as West Indies registered a commanding 107-run victory over Zimbabwe in their first Super 8 match of the ongoing global showpiece at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Speaking on their performances, former South African cricketer Faf du Plessis heaped praise on them.
“I saw them in South Africa. And I have played a lot of cricket with and against both of them. Amazing spinners. If there`s a little bit of something in the wicket, both of them [will exploit it],” he said.
He also feels that the spin duo will face a real test when they face Team India and South African batsmen later in the tournament.
“But the test will come now when they play against a lot of lefties in India, how`re they going to respond to that, and South Africa played both of them really well in South Africa [in the T20I series in January this year],” said du Plessis.
The victory has helped the Caribbeans top Group 1 of the Super 8 stage. They have two points with a net run rate (NRR) of +5.350.
West Indies` next match is against South Africa on February 26 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. They will then lock horns with Team India on March 1 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The Shai Hope-led side will heavily rely on Brandon King and Shimron Hetmyer to deliver big knocks in the remaining matches of the Super 8 stage.
West Indies` squad for the T20 World Cup 2026
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.
(With ANI Inputs)
