Kolkata, Feb 7 (NationPress) West Indies captain Shai Hope praised his team's impressive commencement in the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, achieving a 35-run victory against Scotland at Eden Gardens. He highlighted the contributions of Shimron Hetmyer, who scored a stylish 64, and Romario Shepherd, whose pivotal bowling performance of 5-20, including a hat-trick, proved crucial.

"In tournaments like these, there's little room for mistakes. Unlike bilateral series where a loss can be rectified in subsequent matches, securing a solid start is our primary goal. We believed we could have achieved a slightly higher score, especially here at Eden Gardens," Hope stated during the post-match presentation.

“This ground is known for chasing, and the initial target was around 190. It posed a challenge at the start, but it was encouraging to see our players regroup during the middle overs and demonstrate our batting strength. With our bowling, we focused on executing our plans effectively this time,” Hope added.

On Hetmyer's current form, Hope mentioned, "He’s been in exceptional form, registering his fourth consecutive score of over 40. It's encouraging to see him play freely and contribute significantly to the team.”

“We previously had a highly impactful left-hander at number three. While I wouldn't say Hetmyer is exactly like him, they share similarities in their danger level. His left-handed batting is a challenge for opponents, particularly with teams often deploying left-arm spinners or leg spinners against us. His presence enhances our batting lineup's threat,” he remarked.

Hope also commended Shepherd's bowling prowess. "His impact was quite unexpected, stepping up at a critical moment. Scotland had a strong start, but with crucial wickets falling, we turned the pressure back on their batting side. This marks Shepherd's second T20 hat-trick, which is fantastic for him and the team," he noted.

Scotland's captain Richie Berrington acknowledged the positives despite the loss. "We are disappointed with the outcome. After the first innings, we felt confident in chasing down that score, particularly with our batting depth. However, the loss of two set batsmen, including myself and Tom Bruce, in quick succession shifted the momentum towards West Indies. We need to capitalize on our learnings for the next match,” he commented.

Looking forward, Berrington emphasized the positives to carry into their upcoming game. "Today was our first experience at Eden Gardens, and we certainly have takeaways to build on for our next match in a few days," he concluded.