KOLKATA: Shimron Hetmyer struck a counter-attacking fifty before Romario Shepherd unleashed a stunning five-wicket burst including a hat-trick as two-time champions West Indies began their T20 World Cup campaign with a comfortable 35-run win over Scotland in their group C fixture here on Saturday. Back at the venue where they had lifted their second T20 World Cup title a decade ago, West Indies were made to work early before Hetmyer's 36-ball 64 (6x6, 2x4) lifted them to a competitive 182/5. In reply, Guyanese pacer Shepherd blew away the lower order with a sensational spell of 5/20 to bowl out Scotland for 147 in 18.5 overs. For West Indies, who had a difficult build up including a shock series loss to Nepal, it was redemption of sorts, having endured a shock loss to Scotland in the 2022-23 edition. Jason Holder removed the skipper with a slower ball to break their 78-run stand and also became the first West Indian to complete 100 T20I wickets.

Source: Indian Express February 07, 2026 13:26 UTC