The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 match between West Indies and Scotland at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, saw Romario Shepherd take a remarkable hat-trick, giving West Indies a great start in the tournament.
Scotland faced a challenging target of 183 runs and put up a fight until the final four overs. Shepherd changed the game with his outstanding performance in one over. He completed his hat-trick by dismissing three batters in consecutive deliveries during the 17th over, wrapping up with four wickets by taking one more at the last ball of the over.
The hat-trick was marked by an impressive delivery. The ball moved late after a seam-up delivery, which Davidson tried to play but hit the off stump instead. Shepherd’s teammates quickly surrounded him as he celebrated by running away. The hat-trick created a thrilling moment for the crowd at Eden Gardens, who erupted in excitement.
Scotland Start Well but Falter
Scotland began their chase positively. Richie Berrington led the charge with a valiant 42 runs off 24 balls, while Tom Bruce added 35 runs, keeping them in the game. At one point, the target seemed achievable.
However, Scotland lost momentum after their first wicket fell. It became increasingly tough for them to score as they needed 50 runs from 18 balls while losing wickets regularly. Shepherd’s performance dismantled their hopes, as Scotland fell from 133-6 to 133-9 quickly, getting all out for 147 with seven balls remaining.
Romario Shepherd was key for West Indies, taking five wickets, while veteran Jason Holder contributed with three wickets, leading West Indies to victory in their opening game.
West Indies Batters Set the Tone
Batting first, West Indies scored 182 runs for 5 wickets. Shimron Hetmyer was the standout performer, scoring 64 runs off 36 balls and hitting six sixes to control the middle overs.
Brandon King, Rovman Powell, and Sherfane Rutherford all chipped in with quick runs, helping West Indies surpass the 180 mark, which proved to be an unattainable target for Scotland due to their strong finish.
West Indies showcased a solid team effort in both batting and bowling, sending a clear message to all teams in Group C.
