Kolkata, Feb 7 (NationPress) In a thrilling match, Shimron Hetmyer scored a dazzling 64 runs, while Romario Shepherd delivered an outstanding performance with figures of 5-20, including a remarkable hat-trick, helping the West Indies secure a 35-run victory over Scotland in their opening Group C match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday.

The West Indies began cautiously, accumulating 33 runs without losing a wicket during the Power-play. Despite the quick dismissals of openers Brandon King and captain Shai Hope, Hetmyer, who faced travel delays due to visa issues, quickly adapted and took command of the innings, smashing a 22-ball fifty - the fastest half-century by a male player from the West Indies in World Cup history.

With a strike rate of 177.78, Hetmyer struck two fours and six sixes, forming a vital partnership of 81 runs with Rovman Powell, who contributed a steady 24 runs off 14 balls. A late surge from Sherfane Rutherford, who scored 26 off 13 balls, propelled the team to a competitive total of 182/5.

Scotland, in their chase, began promisingly, reaching 115/3 in 13.1 overs, with skipper Richie Berrington and Tom Bruce, a former New Zealand international, posing a significant threat. However, Jason Holder made a crucial breakthrough by dismissing Berrington, marking his 100th T20I wicket.

From that point, Shepherd took charge, executing an explosive spell during the death overs, claiming four wickets in a stunning five-ball sequence during the 17th over to achieve his second hat-trick in T20 cricket. Scotland's innings collapsed dramatically, bowled out for 147 in 18.5 overs after losing their last seven wickets for just 32 runs. This achievement made Shepherd the first bowler in the ongoing tournament to secure a hat-trick and the tenth overall in the tournament's history.

Scotland faced difficulties against Holder, who was effective under the lights. After Shepherd's dismissal of Brandon McMullen, Hetmyer executed a spectacular one-handed catch at the boundary to dismiss George Munsey, resulting in Scotland losing three wickets during the Power-play.

A 77-run partnership between Berrington and Bruce rekindled hopes, with both players finding the boundary against spinners Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie. However, in the 14th over, Holder removed the dangerous Berrington with an off-cutter, and Motie quickly dismissed Bruce, reducing Scotland to 132/5.

Scotland's collapse continued as Shepherd dismantled the lower order - Matthew Cross was caught at point, Michael Leask holed out to long-on, debutant Oliver Davidson was bowled by a nip-backer, and Safyaan Sharif chipped to mid-off. Holder concluded Scotland's innings, catching Mark Watt at short third man, allowing the West Indies to start their campaign with a victory.

Initially asked to bat, Hope and King began cautiously, reaching 27 without loss in four overs. Brad Currie applied pressure, forcing the openers to adjust their strategy on an unyielding pitch.

Watt continued to apply pressure with his clever mix of pace and length, beating Hope on the pull shot. Following a slow Power-play, King finally struck with a six off Sharif and a precise drive through extra cover, accumulating two fours in a 17-run over.

However, Scotland responded rapidly, with Michael Leask dismissing Hope in the ninth over, and debutant Davidson removing King soon after, leaving the West Indies at 58/2 at the halfway point. Hetmyer then shifted the momentum, racing to 33 off 16 balls as the West Indies amassed 32 runs between overs 10 and 12.

His explosive batting, with 40 of his first 52 runs coming from boundaries, neutralized the challenging conditions, and he reached his fifty by sending Davidson over cover for six. Although he and Powell fell to Currie and Sharif, respectively, the West Indies secured 44 runs in the final five overs, with Rutherford’s late hitting ensuring they surpassed the 180-run mark, a total sufficient for victory at the venue where they claimed the World Cup in 2016.

Brief scores:

West Indies 182/5 in 20 overs (Shimron Hetmyer 64, Brandon King 35; Brad Currie 2-23, Oliver Davidson 1-23) defeated Scotland 147 in 18.5 overs (Richie Berrington 42, Tom Bruce 35; Romario Shepherd 5-20, Jason Holder 3-30) by 35 runs.