KOLKATA – In a thrilling start to Group C action at the 2026 T20 World Cup, West Indies posted a formidable 182 for 5 against Scotland at Eden Gardens. Shimron Hetmyer stole the show with a blistering 64 off 36 balls, including his record-breaking fastest half-century for a West Indian in T20 World Cup history.
Scotland won the toss and opted to bowl first, a decision that initially seemed wise as openers Brandon King and Shai Hope crawled to 54 for 1 in 8.2 overs. Hope fell for 19 off 22, followed by King’s 35 off 30, leaving West Indies at 58 for 2.
The game changed when Hetmyer and Rovman Powell forged an explosive 81-run stand off just 37 balls for the third wicket. Powell smashed 24 off 14 with two sixes and a four before departing.
Hetmyer then partnered with Sherfane Rutherford for 36 runs off 21 balls. He reached his milestone fifty in just 22 balls – the quickest by any West Indies batter in T20 World Cups. Hetmyer’s knock featured six sixes and two fours, propelling West Indies to 182. He fell at 175 for 4.
Rutherford contributed 26 off 13, while Romario Shepherd (6 off 3) and Matthew Forde (1 off 2) remained unbeaten. Scotland’s Brad Currie was the standout bowler with 2 for 23, supported by Safyaan Sharif, Oliver Davidson, and Michael Leask with one wicket each.
This match marks Scotland’s unexpected entry into the tournament after Bangladesh’s withdrawal, handing them a spot in Group C. West Indies’ firepower sets a steep chase under the lights at Eden Gardens, where Scotland must now respond.