In a thrilling start to the 2026 T20 World Cup, West Indies crushed Scotland by 32 runs at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. All-rounder Romario Shepherd stole the show, claiming a sensational hat-trick en route to match-winning figures of 5-20 in just three overs.
Chasing a challenging 183, Scotland looked in contention at 132 for 5 after 16 overs, needing 51 off the last four with five wickets intact. But Shepherd’s explosive 17th over turned the game on its head. He dismissed Matthew Cross off the second ball, Michael Leask with the third, and Oliver Davidson on the fourth to complete his hat-trick. Not done yet, he wrapped up the over by removing Safyaan Sharif on the final delivery, taking an astonishing four wickets in six balls.
Scotland folded for 147 in 18.5 overs, handing West Indies a decisive victory. Shepherd became the first West Indian to take a hat-trick in T20 World Cup history and the ninth overall.
The list of T20 World Cup hat-trick heroes began with Australia’s Brett Lee against Bangladesh in 2007. Ireland’s Curtis Campher followed in 2021 versus Netherlands, while Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka vs South Africa) and Kagiso Rabada (South Africa vs England) also struck in the same edition. UAE’s Karthik Meiyappan (vs Sri Lanka) and Ireland’s Josh Little (vs New Zealand) achieved it in 2022. Pat Cummins grabbed two in 2024—against Bangladesh and Afghanistan—before England’s Chris Jordan rounded out the eighth against USA.
Shepherd’s heroics not only sealed the win but etched his name in cricket folklore, signaling West Indies’ intent as serious contenders in Group C.