Romario Shepherd took five wickets after Shimron Hetmyer hit a fiery half-century as two-time champions West Indies opened their World Cup T20 campaign with a comfortable 35-run win over Scotland, who entered the Eden Gardens on Saturday. Hetmyer’s knock on the counter-attack set the tone before Shepherd produced a late spell that turned the game around and sealed the match.
Hetmyer, who was invited to bat, smashed his way to a 36-ball 64 to score the fastest fifty by a West Indian in the tournament. A late success from Sherfane Rutherford, who smashed 26 off just 13 balls, helped West Indies post an impressive 182 for 5. Shepherd (5/20) then played with the ball and tore through Scotland’s lower order with four wickets – including a hat-trick – in the 17th over as the opposition were bowled out for 147.
After being put in to bat, West Indies recovered from a slow start to post 182 for 5, a total just above par until Scotland’s chase unraveled dramatically in the last four overs.
The early stages belonged firmly to Scotland. Their bowlers pushed the West Indies through the powerplay, conceding just 33 runs for no loss and forcing 17 runs. Brandon King struggled for timing during a scrappy 35 off 30 balls, while Shai Hope was dismissed for 19 off the quicker delivery of Michael Leask as West Indies reached just 66 for 2 at the halfway mark.
Scotland’s spinners, led by Mark Watt, maintained control through the middle overs, keeping the boundaries to a minimum and forcing the West Indies into a risk-free accumulation. Once Shimron Hetmyer settled into the crease, the innings took a turn.
West Indies vs Scotland T20 World Cup: Highlights
Batting at No.3, Hetmyer took on the spinners after the 10th over, sweeping with power and punishing anything short. He brought up his half-century from just 22 balls and ramped up the score as West Indies scored 72 runs between overs 11 and 15. Hetmyer eventually made 64 off 36 balls, hitting six sixes and two fours to add 81 runs in 37 balls with Rovman Powell batting on 14 with 24.
Hetmyer’s innings ended when Brandon McMullen pulled a one-handed catch to the boundary, but West Indies had already taken control. Brad Currie was the pick of the Scottish bowlers with 2 for 23, while left-arm debutant Oliver Davidson returned figures of 1 for 23 from three overs.
Scotland’s reply started steadily but they soon lost wickets and were kept at bay through the middle overs. A partnership between captain Richie Berrington and Michael Bruce revived the chase. Bruce needed time to settle before regaining his confidence, helped by a free hit which he sent for four while Berrington played fluidly to keep Scotland within range.
At 132 for 5, Scotland needed 51 from 24 balls and the contest remained alive. What followed was a decisive collapse.
Romario Shepherd tore through the lower order with four wickets in five balls. Cross guided a long ball straight to point, Mark Watt mis-pulled leg and was caught near the boundary by Rovman Powell, and debutant Davidson was then pounced on by a sharp delivery to complete Shepherd’s hat-trick with a toothy step. The spell effectively ended Scotland’s resistance.
Jason Holder picked up the last wicket as Scotland were bowled out for 147, turning what had been a competitive chase into a one-sided finish.
Shepherd finished with five wickets and walked away with the ball aloft after producing one of the most impressive spells of the tournament so far. While his late burst sealed the result, West Indies’ victory was shaped earlier by Hetmyer’s decisive innings, which pulled them out of a difficult position and formed a unit that proved beyond Scotland’s reach.
The West Indies now start their World Cup campaign with confidence, while Scotland will rue the late collapse that destroyed much of their earlier work.
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
February 7, 2026
