Romario Shepherd announced his arrival on the T20 World Cup stage with a sensational match-defining performance, claiming the first hat-trick of the 2026 tournament and a devastating five-wicket haul (5/20) that propelled West Indies to a commanding 35-run victory over Scotland in the opening match at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
The Guyanese all-rounder’s historic spell, featuring four wickets in a single over, including three consecutive dismissals, dismantled Scotland’s chase from a promising 115/4 to a meek 147 all out in 18.5 overs. Earlier,
Shimron Hetmyer’s explosive 64 off 36 balls, highlighted by the fastest T20 World Cup fifty by a West Indian (22 balls) and a stunning one-handed catch, powered the Caribbean side to 182/5.
The two-time champions’ comprehensive victory at the venue where they last lifted an ICC trophy in 2016 sent an ominous warning to their Group C rivals on the tournament’s electrifying opening day.
Match Summary
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | West Indies vs Scotland, Group C, 1st Match |
| Venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Toss | Scotland won and elected to field |
| Result | West Indies won by 35 runs |
| Player of the Match | Shimron Hetmyer (WI) – 64(36) & match-winning catch |
| West Indies Innings | 182/5 in 20 overs |
| Scotland Innings | 147 all out in 18.5 overs |
West Indies First Innings – Hetmyer’s Blitz Powers Caribbean Charge
West Indies endured a cautious beginning, crawling to 33/0 in the powerplay at just 5.5 runs per over, their slowest rate for a 50-plus opening stand in T20I history.
Brandon King (35 off 30 balls, 4 fours, 1 six) and captain Shai Hope (19 off 22 balls, 2 fours) provided stability before both fell in quick succession.
Michael Leask (1/2) trapped Hope LBW with a clever seam-up delivery in the 9th over, and debutant Oliver Davidson (1/23) claimed his maiden T20I wicket when George Munsey juggled a catch at point to dismiss King.
Enter Shimron Hetmyer at number three, and Eden Gardens witnessed a batting masterclass. The left-hander exploded into action, racing to his fifty in just 22 balls, surpassing Chris Gayle’s 23-ball effort against Australia in 2009 to record the fastest T20 World Cup fifty by a West Indian.
His breathtaking 81-run partnership with Rovman Powell (24 off 14 balls, 1 four, 2 sixes) transformed the innings completely. The middle overs (7-15) yielded a staggering 105 runs at 11.66 RPO as Hetmyer dismantled Scotland’s bowling with six towering sixes and crisp timing.
He eventually fell for 64 in the 19th over, caught brilliantly by Brandon McMullen at long-on. Sherfane Rutherford’s explosive cameo (26 off 13 balls, 4 fours, 1 six) provided the late fireworks, though Scotland’s bowlers fought back in the death overs, restricting the final five overs to 44/3 at 8.8 RPO.
Brad Currie (2/23) and Safyaan Sharif (1/46) led Scotland’s bowling resistance, but West Indies’ 182/5 represented a formidable total on the true Eden Gardens pitch.
West Indies Innings – Key Performers
| Category | Player | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Best Batsman | Shimron Hetmyer | 64 runs off 36 balls (2 fours, 6 sixes) – SR: 177.78 |
| Best Batsman | Brandon King | 35 runs off 30 balls (4 fours, 1 six) – SR: 116.67 |
| Best Batsman | Sherfane Rutherford | 26 runs off 13 balls (4 fours, 1 six) – SR: 200.00 |
| Best Batsman | Rovman Powell | 24 runs off 14 balls (1 four, 2 sixes) – SR: 171.43 |
| Best Bowler (SCO) | Brad Currie | 2/23 in 4 overs – Economy: 5.75 |
| Best Bowler (SCO) | Michael Leask | 1/2 in 1 over – Economy: 2.00 |
Scotland Second Innings – Shepherd’s Historic Hat-trick Destroys Chase
Scotland’s pursuit of 183 began disastrously at 38/3 in the powerplay. Jason Holder (2/19) dismissed Michael Jones (1) early, while George Munsey (19 off 15 balls, 3 fours) counter-attacked before Shimron Hetmyer produced a stunning one-handed diving catch at deep backward square-leg.
Brandon McMullen (14 off 12 balls) played a scoop onto his stumps off Romario Shepherd. Captain Richie Berrington (42 off 24 balls, 3 fours, 2 sixes) and Tom Bruce (35 off 28 balls, 1 four, 2 sixes) revived hope with a 78-run stand. At 114/3 after 13 overs,
Scotland needed just 69 from 42 balls. Holder’s dismissal of Berrington, his 100th T20I wicket, triggered a spectacular collapse.
Romario Shepherd then produced magic in the 17th over, claiming four wicket,s including a hat-trick. Matthew Cross (11), Michael Leask (0), and Oliver Davidson (0) fell in consecutive deliveries, with Davidson bowled by a late-swinging beauty. Safyaan Sharif (0) followed immediately, giving Shepherd his five-wicket haul.
Scotland crumbled from 115/4 to 147 all out in 18.5 overs, losing six wickets for just 32 runs as West Indies secured a comprehensive 35-run victory.
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Scotland Innings – Key Performers
| Category | Player | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Best Batsman | Richie Berrington | 42 runs off 24 balls (3 fours, 2 sixes) – SR: 175.00 |
| Best Batsman | Tom Bruce | 35 runs off 28 balls (1 four, 2 sixes) – SR: 125.00 |
| Best Batsman | George Munsey | 19 runs off 15 balls (3 fours) – SR: 126.67 |
| Best Bowler (WI) | Romario Shepherd | 5/20 in 3 overs – Economy: 6.67 – HAT-TRICK |
| Best Bowler (WI) | Jason Holder | 2/19 in 3 overs – Economy: 6.33 – 100th T20I wicket |
| Best Bowler (WI) | Gudakesh Motie | 1/29 in 4 overs – Economy: 7.25 |
