Fans erupt as Romario Shepherd’s hat-trick sparks West Indies’ commanding T20 World Cup triumph over Scotland

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The iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata was bathed in maroon and gold on Saturday as the West Indies kickstarted their T20 World Cup Group C campaign with a statement victory. In a clash that blended Caribbean flair with clinical execution, the Windies dismantled Scotland by 35 runs, fuelled by a Shimron Hetmyer masterclass and a historic bowling performance from Romario Shepherd.

While Scotland showed flashes of resilience, they were ultimately overwhelmed by a side that looks determined to reclaim its status as the shortest format’s ultimate powerhouse.

Shimron Hetmyer blasts Scottish bowling lineup at the Eden Gardens

Opting to bat first in the second match of the tournament, the West Indies innings was a tale of two halves. The Scottish opening pair of Brad Currie and Brandon McMullen kept things tight initially, removing Shai Hope (19) and Brandon King (35) just as the foundation seemed set. However, the arrival of Hetmyer shifted the momentum irrevocably.

Hetmyer played the role of the aggressor with surgical precision, blasting 64 runs off just 36 deliveries. His innings was punctuated by five towering sixes that cleared the long-on boundary with ease, forcing the Scottish spinners, Mark Watt and Michael Leask, to rethink their lengths. Supported by late-innings cameos from Rovman Powell (24) and Sherfane Rutherford (26), the West Indies surged to a formidable total of 182/5. Despite Safyaan Sharif’s efforts to stem the flow of runs at the death, the damage was already done; the Windies set a target that required Scotland to score at over nine runs per over from the outset.

Romario Shepherd’s historic hat-trick takes West Indies to an emphatic win

The Scottish chase began under heavy pressure, losing Michael Jones early to Jason Holder. While Richie Berrington (42) and Tom Bruce (35) staged a gritty 78-run partnership that brought Scotland back into the hunt at 115/3, the match was about to take a turn toward the extraordinary.

The turning point arrived in the 17th over, delivered by Shepherd. In a display of raw pace and pinpoint accuracy, Shepherd orchestrated a collapse that will be talked about for years. He first removed Matthew Cross, caught by Rutherford, before cleaning up Leask and Oliver Davidson with successive deliveries to claim a stunning T20 World Cup hat-trick.

Shepherd wasn’t finished, adding Sharif to his tally in the same over to complete a five-wicket haul that effectively ended the contest. Scotland’s middle and lower order vanished in a span of six balls, plummeting from a competitive 133/5 to 133/9. Jason Holder eventually polished off the tail, dismissing Watt to bowl Scotland out for 147 in 18.5 overs.

Also WATCH: Brandon McMullen plucks a screamer to remove dangerous Shimron Hetmyer | WI vs SCO, T20 World Cup 2026

Here’s how fans reacted:

Also READ: Shimron Hetmyer overtakes Chris Gayle to join elite West Indies club at T20 World Cup 2026

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