In a pulsating start to T20 World Cup 2026, West Indies outclassed Scotland by 35 runs in Group C at Kolkata. Shimron Hetmyer’s blistering 64 laid the foundation for 182/5, but it was Romario Shepherd’s unforgettable hat-trick that sealed a comprehensive win.
Hetmyer dominated from the outset, racing to 64 off 36 deliveries with six sixes that echoed around the stadium. Supported by King’s 35, Powell’s 24, and Rutherford’s 26, West Indies posted a formidable score despite losing the toss.
Scotland’s openers crumbled early. Jones out for 1 triggered a top-order collapse. Munsey (19) and McMullen (14) offered brief resistance, but at 37/3, the writing was on the wall. Berrington (42 off 24) and Bruce (35 off 28) engineered a gritty 78-run stand, pushing the score to 115/4 and then 122/5.
Needing 51 off 24 balls, Scotland eyed an unlikely heist. But Shepherd had other plans. His 17th over was pure demolition – four wickets, including a hat-trick, derailing the chase completely. Scotland folded at 147 all out.
Shepherd ended with career-best 5/20. Holder’s three strikes complemented the effort. Scotland’s bowlers, led by Currie’s 2/23, fought valiantly but couldn’t contain the Caribbean flair. West Indies’ bowlers, especially Shepherd, turned defenders into dominators, signaling their title credentials early.