Chief Scores
West Indies 182/5 (20 overs) (Shimron Hetmyer 64 (36 balls), Brandon King 35 (30), Sherfane Rutherford 26 (13), Rovman Powell 24 (14), Shai Hope 19 (22); Brad Currie 2/23, Safyaan Sharif 1/46, Oliver Davidson 1/23)
Scotland 147 all out (18.5 overs) (Richie Berrington 42 (24), Tom Bruce 35 (28), George Munsey 19 (15), Mark Watt 15 (12); Romario Shepherd 5/20 (including a hat-trick), Jason Holder 3/30, Shamar Joseph 1/26, Gudakesh Motie 1/29)
Shimron Hetmyer’s commanding half-century and a sensational hat-trick from Romario Shepherd steered West Indies to a convincing 35-run victory over Scotland in their Group C encounter of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at Eden Gardens on Friday night.
Put in to bat after losing the toss, West Indies posted a competitive 182 for 5, built around a fluent 64 from Hetmyer off just 36 balls. Scotland, in reply, showed early intent but were eventually bowled out for 147 in 18.5 overs, undone by Shepherd’s late burst that ripped the heart out of their lower order.
West Indies’ innings began steadily rather than spectacularly. Brandon King anchored the early phase with a composed 35 off 30 balls, striking four boundaries and a six before edging Oliver Davidson to be dismissed at the start of the tenth over. Shai Hope, leading the side, struggled to find momentum and was bowled by Michael Leask for 19 off 22, leaving West Indies at a cautious 54 for 1 after eight overs.
The tempo changed dramatically once Hetmyer settled in. The left-hander unfurled his trademark power-hitting, launching six towering sixes and finding the fence twice more as he dismantled the Scottish attack. His half-century came off just 28 balls and shifted the balance firmly in West Indies’ favour. Rovman Powell added valuable impetus with a brisk 24 off 14, while Sherfane Rutherford’s 26 off 13 ensured the momentum was sustained through the death overs. West Indies plundered 78 runs in the final five overs to reach 182 for 5, despite late strikes from Brad Currie (2 for 23) and Safyaan Sharif (1 for 46).
Scotland’s chase began brightly but faltered early. George Munsey struck 19 off 15 before falling to Shamar Joseph, while Michael Jones departed cheaply for 1. Richie Berrington led the resistance with an aggressive 42 off 24 balls, peppering the boundary with three fours and two sixes, and Tom Bruce supported him with a measured 35 off 28. At 115 for 4 in the 14th over, Scotland still harboured hopes of a late surge.
Those hopes were killedby Shepherd. Having already removed Brandon McMullen earlier, the all-rounder returned in the 17th over to claim a remarkable hat-trick. Matthew Cross, Michael Leask and Oliver Davidson fell in successive deliveries, all caught or bowled as Scotland collapsed from 133 for 6 to 133 for 8 in the space of four balls. Shepherd finished with outstanding figures of 5 for 20 from three overs, sealing the contest emphatically.
Jason Holder also chipped in with three wickets, while Gudakesh Motie and Joseph applied pressure through the middle overs. Scotland were eventually dismissed for 147, handing West Indies a comprehensive win and two valuable points.
Hetmyer was rightly named Player of the Match for his decisive half-century, but it was Shepherd’s hat-trick that provided the night’s defining moment, underlining West Indies’ growing authority in the tournament.
