T20 World Cup: Hetmyer, Shepherd fire West Indies to victory against Scotland

Shimron Hetmyer's blistering half-century and Romario Shepherd's hat-trick helped West Indies ease to a 35-run victory against Scotland in 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, in Kolkata, on Saturday.

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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 quickfire 36-ball 64, which included six sixes and two fours, rallied them to a healthy 182/5.

In reply, medium pacer Shepherd blew away the lower order with a sensational spell of 5/20 to bowl out Scotland for 147 in 18.5 overs.

Shepherd finished the game in dramatic fashion as he ripped through the tail with four wickets in five deliveries -- including Matthew Cross, Michael Leask and Oliver Davidson off successive balls -- to complete his second T20I hat-trick in four months.

Hat-trick for Romario Shepherd

He later added Safyaan Sharif to register his maiden five-wicket haul, returning with outstanding figures of 5/20 in three overs. He had also taken a hat-trick against Bangladesh in October.

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.

Earlier, Scotland justified their decision to bowl with a disciplined start.

Hetmyer turned the game on its head with clean, calculated power-hitting, smashing six sixes and two fours in a 36-ball 64 to transform the tempo after the two-time champions had crawled early on.

West Indies were an uncharacteristic 33 for no loss in the powerplay, managing just four boundaries while eating up 17 dot balls, which is nearly three overs without scoring.

Even at the halfway mark they were only 66/2 as the Scotland spinners, led by seasoned Mark Watt (0/38), bowled brilliantly.

Hetmyer's Explosive Innings

But after the 10-over mark, Hetmyer slog-swept the spinners, pulled anything short with disdain and even launched an audacious inside-out six over covers as the momentum swung dramatically.

West Indies plundered 72 runs between overs 11 and 15 to surge to 138 for 2, with Hetmyer doing most of the damage.

The Guyanese southpaw found an able ally in Rovman Powell (24 off 14) as the duo added a brisk 81 off just 37 balls to seize complete control of the middle overs.

Hetmyer's charge, however, ended spectacularly when Brandon McMullen pulled off a stunning one-handed running catch at the boundary, diving full stretch to his left.

Scotland's Bowling Effort

Scotland who confirmed their participation only two weeks ago following Bangladesh's withdrawal justified their decision to bowl with a disciplined start.

Brandon King looked scratchy during his 35 off 30 balls, surviving a testing opening spell from Safyaan Sharif, while skipper Shai Hope (19) was cleaned up by Michael Leask's (1/42) quicker delivery.

Scotland, who learnt about their participation barely two weeks before the tournament after Bangladesh's withdrawal, showed discipline with the ball but their lack of preparation reflected in the chase.

Debutant left-arm spinner Oliver Davidson (1/23 in three overs) then struck with his second ball to keep the Windies in check.

For Scotland, Brad Currie was most successful bowler picking 2/23.

Having trained indoors through winter full of one-foot snow back home, Scotland  got their first proper outdoor sessions only during the warm-ups at Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru in India.

Captain Richie Berrington struck a brisk 42 off 24 balls (3x4, 2x6) and Tom Bruce made 35 from 28 balls (1x4, 2x6), but the boundaries dried up regularly and the asking rate kept climbing.

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.

Hetmyer capped a fine outing with a full-length diving, one-handed catch at cover to dismiss opener George Munsey that lifted their tempo early on.