The rivalry between the West Indies and Zimbabwe has evolved into a high-stakes showdown of Caribbean flair against African resilience. From historic Test battles to the explosive 2026 T20 World Cup clash in Mumbai, every encounter promises drama. This report breaks down the stats, rankings, and unforgettable moments defining this rivalry.
Recent Head-to-Head History (Last 7 Matches)
Match Date
Format
Venue
Winner
Margin
23 Feb 2026
T20I
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
West Indies
107 Runs
24 Jun 2023
ODI
Harare Sports Club, Harare
Zimbabwe
35 Runs
12 Feb 2023
Test
Queen’s Sports Club, Bulawayo
West Indies
Innings & 4 Runs
04 Feb 2023
Test
Queen’s Sports Club, Bulawayo
Match Drawn
—
19 Oct 2022
T20I
Ninja Stadium, Hobart
West Indies
31 Runs
19 Mar 2018
ODI
Harare Sports Club, Harare
West Indies
4 Wickets
29 Oct 2017
Test
Queen’s Sports Club, Bulawayo
Match Drawn
—
Current Team Rankings (As of April 2026)
Format
West Indies Rank
Zimbabwe Rank
Test
8th
11th
ODI
10th
11th
T20I
7th
11th
Upcoming Series Venues & Details
Series/Tournament
Tentative Date
Host Venue
Format
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
Feb 2026
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
T20I
Bilateral Series (Planned)
Mid 2026
Harare & Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
ODI & T20I
Future Tours Program (FTP)
Late 2026
Various Locations, West Indies
All Formats
Head-to-Head Summary (All Formats)
Format
Matches Played
West Indies Won
Zimbabwe Won
Tie/No Result
Test
12
8
0
4
ODI
50
36
11
3
T20I
5
4
1
0
Major Tournament Matches (Recent Clashes)
Tournament
Date
Winner
Key Margin
ICC T20 World Cup 2026
23 Feb 2026
West Indies
107 Runs
ICC CWC Qualifier 2023
24 Jun 2023
Zimbabwe
35 Runs
ICC T20 World Cup 2022
19 Oct 2022
West Indies
31 Runs
ICC CWC Qualifier 2018
19 Mar 2018
West Indies
4 Wickets
Key Performance (Last Match: Feb 23, 2026)
Player
Team
Stat/Contribution
Impact
Shimron Hetmyer
WI
85 (34 Balls)
Fastest T20I 50 for WI
Rovman Powell
WI
59 (35 Balls)
Captain’s knock; 4 Sixes
Gudakesh Motie
WI
4/28 (4 Overs)
Decimated the middle order
Brad Evans
ZIM
43 (21 Balls)
Valiant late-order fightback
Akeal Hosein
WI
3/28 (4 Overs)
Crucial early breakthroughs
Key Players to Watch
Player Name
Team
Specialization
Why to Watch
Shimron Hetmyer
West Indies
Explosive Batting
Record-breaker in current form
Sikandar Raza
Zimbabwe
All-rounder
Team talisman and match-winner
Gudakesh Motie
West Indies
Spin Bowler
Highly effective in sub-continent conditions
Blessing Muzarabani
Zimbabwe
Fast Bowler
Known for bounce and early wickets
Shai Hope
West Indies
Wicketkeeper-Bat
Consistency in the top order
Most Memorable Match – The Epic Thriller!
Event
Venue
Special Moment
Result
CWC Qualifier 2023
Harare Sports Club
Sikandar Raza’s masterclass
Zimbabwe won by 35 runs
T20 World Cup 2026
Wankhede, Mumbai
19 Sixes in a single innings
West Indies won by 107 runs
ODI Tri-Series 2016
Bulawayo
Rare Tied Match
Match Tied
Final Verdict: West Indies vs. Zimbabwe
While the West Indies currently hold the upper hand with their superior power-hitting and recent T20 dominance, Zimbabwe remains a dangerous underdog capable of massive upsets. The Windies’ record-shattering performance in 2026 sets a high bar, but Zimbabwe’s tactical growth ensures this remains one of cricket’s most unpredictable and exciting matchups.
