West Indies Start T20 World Cup 2026 With Convincing Win Over Scotland
Two-time champions West Indies opened their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign in emphatic fashion, defeating Scotland by 35 runs at the Eden Gardens on Saturday, with Shimron Hetmyer’s explosive half-century and a sensational five-wicket haul from Romario Shepherd setting up a comprehensive victory.
Asked to bat first, West Indies built a solid foundation through a half-century opening stand between Brandon King and captain Shai Hope. King scored 35 off 30 balls, hitting four boundaries and a six, while Hope added 19 as the pair guided the Windies to 58 for 2. After the early breakthrough, Shimron Hetmyer took control of the innings, launching a powerful counterattack.
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Hetmyer combined with Rovman Powell for a match-defining 81-run partnership for the third wicket. Powell struck a quick 24 off 14 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes, before departing, while Hetmyer continued to dominate the Scottish bowling. He finished with a blistering 64, earning the Player of the Match award for his commanding knock. Late contributions from Romario Shepherd, who remained unbeaten on 6, and Matthew Forde, who added 1 not out, helped West Indies post a competitive total of 182 for 5 in their 20 overs. Brad Currie was the most successful bowler for Scotland, returning figures of 2 for 23.
During his innings, Brandon King also achieved a personal milestone, overtaking Chris Gayle to become the third-highest run-scorer for West Indies in T20 internationals. King now has 1,916 runs in 79 matches and 77 innings at an average of 26.61 and a strike rate of 133.89, including 14 half-centuries, surpassing Gayle’s tally of 1,899 runs.
In reply, Scotland struggled to gain momentum early as the West Indies bowlers struck regularly inside the powerplay. Jason Holder removed opener Michael Jones, Romario Shepherd dismissed Brandon McMullen, and Shamar Joseph sent back George Munsey in the final over of the powerplay, reducing Scotland to 38 for 3 after six overs.
Richie Berrington and Tom Bruce attempted to rebuild the innings, adding a steady 49-run partnership that took Scotland to 86 for 2 by the end of the 11th over. However, the recovery was halted when Holder dismissed captain Berrington for 42 off 24 balls, an innings that included three fours and a six. Gudakesh Motie then removed Bruce, who scored 35 off 28 balls with three boundaries, leaving Scotland struggling at 122 for 5 after 15 overs.
Holder’s wicket of Berrington also marked a significant milestone, as he became the first West Indian to claim 100 wickets in T20 internationals. He also joined an elite list of players, including Lasith Malinga, Tim Southee, Shakib Al Hasan, Shaheen Afridi, and Jasprit Bumrah, to take 100 wickets in each format of men’s international cricket.
The match was effectively sealed in the 17th over when Romario Shepherd produced a devastating spell. He completed a hat-trick by dismissing Matthew Cross, Michael Leask, and Oliver Davidson in successive deliveries, before removing Safyaan Sharif for a duck to complete a five-wicket haul. Scotland collapsed to 133 for 9, unable to recover from the sudden burst of wickets.
Jason Holder picked up the final wicket as Scotland were bowled out for 147 in 18.5 overs, handing West Indies a comfortable 35-run victory. Shepherd finished with outstanding figures of 5 for 20, while Holder supported him well with 3 for 30.
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