Kolkata, Feb 7 (NationPress) Shimron Hetmyer delivered a stunning performance, scoring 64 runs and leading the two-time champions West Indies to a total of 182/5 in their 20 overs against Scotland during a Group C match of the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup at the Eden Gardens on Saturday. To clinch victory, Scotland must chase down 183 runs at a venue renowned for its high-scoring matches.

The West Indies began cautiously, accumulating 33 runs without loss in the power-play. However, after the quick dismissals of openers Brandon King and captain Shai Hope, Hetmyer, who overcame visa-related travel issues, quickly adapted to the pitch conditions. He dominated the innings with a remarkable 22-ball fifty—the fastest half-century recorded by a West Indies batsman in World Cup history.

Hetmyer, who struck two fours and six sixes at a strike rate of 177.78, formed a significant partnership with Rovman Powell, contributing 81 runs for the third wicket, where Powell played a supporting role with a 14-ball 24. The innings was further boosted by Sherfane Rutherford, whose late surge of 26 runs off 13 balls helped elevate the total past the 180 mark.

Despite being a last-minute replacement for Bangladesh, Scotland showcased moments of brilliance with the ball. Chris Sole and Brad Currie made key breakthroughs in the middle overs, with Currie maintaining composure in the death overs to prevent West Indies from exceeding 200.

Opting to bat first, Hope and King started with caution, reaching 27 runs without loss in four overs, while Currie exploited the pitch’s grip, compelling the openers to adjust their strategies on a surface less favorable for aggressive batting.

Mark Watt maintained the pressure by skillfully varying his pace and length, even managing to outsmart Hope with a clever delivery. After a slow power-play, momentum shifted in the seventh over as King launched a six off Safyaan Sharif and executed a precise drive through extra cover, scoring two fours in a single over totaling 17 runs.

However, Scotland quickly countered—Michael Leask dismissed Hope in the ninth over, followed by debutant Oliver Davidson claiming King's wicket soon after, leaving West Indies at 58/2 at the midway point. Hetmyer then accelerated the innings, racing to 33 runs off 16 balls as West Indies amassed 32 runs between overs ten and twelve.

His explosive batting—where 40 of his first 52 runs came from boundaries—nullified the challenging conditions, culminating in his fifty with a six over cover off Davidson. Although both he and Powell were dismissed by Currie and Sharif respectively, Rutherford’s explosive hitting ensured West Indies surpassed the 180 mark.

Brief Scores: West Indies 182/5 in 20 overs (Shimron Hetmyer 64, Brandon King 35; Brad Currie 2-23, Oliver Davidson 1-23) against Scotland