Our Web Desk
KOLKATA: Shimron Hetmyer smashed a breathtaking 64 off 36 balls as West Indies opened their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Group C campaign with a convincing 35-run victory over Scotland at Eden Gardens on Saturday.
Hetmyer’s counter-attacking innings, laced with six sixes, transformed West Indies’ total from a steady start into a formidable 182 for five, a target that proved well beyond Scotland despite flashes of resistance in their chase.
Sent into bat after Scotland won the toss, West Indies lost Shai Hope and Brandon King inside the first 10 overs, slipping to 58 for two and struggling. Hope was undone by Michael Leask for 19, while King’s 35 ended when he picked out George Munsey at deep midwicket.
Hetmyer, however, shifted momentum decisively. The left-hander took on both pace and spin, launching Safyaan Sharif and Mark Watt into the stands as West Indies surged through the middle overs. He found support from captain Rovman Powell (24 off 14) and Sherfane Rutherford, whose rapid 26 off 13 balls ensured the run rate stayed above nine an over.
Scotland pulled things back briefly at the death, with Brad Currie claiming two wickets and finishing with economical figures of 2 for 23, but Hetmyer’s dismissal at the end of the 19th over came too late to halt the damage. West Indies closed on 182 for five, their highest T20 World Cup total at Eden Gardens.
Scotland’s reply never truly recovered from a shaky start. George Munsey showed early intent with 19 off 15 balls, but wickets fell regularly as West Indies’ seamers exploited movement under the lights. Jason Holder struck twice in his opening spell, while Shamar Joseph removed Munsey to leave Scotland reeling at 37 for three inside the powerplay.
Captain Richie Berrington briefly reignited hopes with an aggressive 42 off 24 balls, combining with Tom Bruce (35 off 28) in a 78-run stand that carried Scotland past 100 in the 12th over. But once Berrington was caught in the deep off Holder, the chase unravelled quickly.
Romario Shepherd delivered the decisive blow, ripping through the lower order with a devastating hat-trick in the 17th over and finishing with career-best figures of 5 for 20. Scotland collapsed from 133 for six to 133 for nine in the space of five balls, before being bowled out for 147 in 18.5 overs.
The win gives West Indies two early points in Group C, while Scotland leave Kolkata still searching for their first victory of the tournament.
“We knew if we kept taking wickets, the pressure would tell,” Hetmyer said after collecting the player-of-the-match award. “Once I got in, the plan was simple – back my strengths and go hard.”
West Indies next face their toughest group test, while Scotland will need a quick turnaround to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
Summarised Score
West Indies 182/5 (20 overs)
Shimron Hetmyer 64 (36), Sherfane Rutherford 26 (13)
Brad Currie 2/23
Scotland 147 all out (18.5 overs)
Richie Berrington 42 (24), Tom Bruce 35 (28)
Romario Shepherd 5/20
Result: West Indies won by 35 runs
Player of the Match: Shimron Hetmyer
