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- West Indies vs Scotland highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: Romario Shepherd's hat-trick leads West Indies to victory over Scotland
West Indies vs Scotland highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: Romario Shepherd's hat-trick leads West Indies to victory over Scotland
Shimron Hetmyer had earlier set up the commanding win with a fluent 64 and taking the West Indies to 182/5, before Shepherd sealed the contest with a fiery burst in the death overs – taking four wickets in five balls of the 17th over.
It also made Shepherd the first bowler to pick a hat-trick in the ongoing tournament and tenth overall in the history of the competition. Scotland were going well in the chase by reaching 115/3 in 13.1 overs, with skipper Richie Berrington and Tom Bruce, former New Zealand international, threatening to take the game deep.
But Jason Holder struck a decisive blow by dismissing Berrington to get his 100th T20I wicket scalp and from there with Shepherd also striking to get his second hat-trick in the format, Scotland’s innings unraveled and were bowled out for 147 in 18.5 overs – losing their last seven wickets for just 32 runs.
After nearly a month of discussions with the Bangladesh Cricket Board, the ICC were ultimately compelled to replace Bangladesh with Scotland, resulting in a dramatic entry for the Europeans just two weeks before the tournament got underway.
Bangladesh were scheduled to play four group matches in India, three of them in Kolkata, but the BCB stayed firm on its decision not to travel, citing "security concerns".
The chain of events was triggered on January 3, when the BCCI instructed Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad amid worsening ties between India and Bangladesh.
Matters escalated the following day when the BCB informed the ICC that the Bangladesh team would not travel to India for its matches and held its ground, clearing the path for Scotland’s inclusion based on rankings.
However, Scotland, who finished fourth in the European Qualifier behind the Netherlands, Italy and Jersey, have insisted they are far more than last-minute replacements.
"We're very sympathetic towards Bangladesh players. But we still massively believe that we should be here," left-arm spinner Mark Watt, one of Scotland’s most experienced campaigners with 77 T20Is and 82 ODIs, said on the eve of the opener.
"We had a blip in the summer and we believe that we should be here and we believe that we can be beating teams higher ranked than us. So there's no second guessing our invite into this tournament. We're all ready to go," he added.
Gudakesh Motie to Richie Berrington, Tossed up, on off, Richie Berrington flicks this in the gap for one.
Gudakesh Motie to Tom Bruce, Quicker one, around off, Tom Bruce punches this down to long on for a run.
Time for some spin now as Gudakesh Motie comes into the attack.
Gudakesh Motie to Richie Berrington, Pushed through on off, Richie Berrington punches this to sweeper cover for a single.
Interestingly, we have not seen Akeal Hosein yet. He generally bowls in the Powerplay, but Shai Hope is thinking differently here.
- Tom Bruce 0 (2)
- Richie Berrington 1 (2)
Shamar Joseph to Tom Bruce, Back of a length around off, Tom Bruce blocks this off his back foot this time. End of another successful over for West Indies.
Shamar Joseph to Tom Bruce, WIDE! Good length, wide down the leg. Wided.
Shamar Joseph to Tom Bruce, Good length around off, shaping away from the batter. Tom Bruce swings at it but gets beaten.
A splendid take from Shimron Hetmyer in the deep, and every Windies player goes up to celebrate with him. It is also time for Drinks now. Scotland are in early trouble, losing 3 wickets inside the Powerplay, and not a lot on the board. Windies also got to a similar start, but they did not lose any wickets in the first six overs. The Scottish need a rebuild, but they also cannot take too much time, as the asking rate will only go up. West Indies do not need to do anything different, they just need to continue as this and opportunities will arrive for them as the pressure is on the batters. Also, Tom Bruce is the next man in.
Shamar Joseph to George Munsey, OUT! Spectacular catch! An early contender for catch of the tournament from Shimron Hetmyer. Short and around middle and leg, George Munsey initially gestures like ducking down on this but ends up pulling this flat-batted towards the right of Shimron Hetmyer at the deep backward square leg region. Shimron moves to his right and, with the ball going away from him, puts in the dive and ends up grabbing a one-handed stunner to send George Munsey back.
Shamar Joseph to George Munsey, FOUR! This has been hit in the gap for four from GM. Hard length but wide outside off, George Munsey stays leg side to it, chases this and punches it through the left of the fielder at cover-point for a boundary.
Shamar Joseph to George Munsey, Hard length on off, shoots a bit on the batter. Munsey looks to poke at it but gets beaten to the extra zip on offer.
Shamar Joseph to George Munsey, Back of a length around off, George Munsey punches this to covers for no run.
- Richie Berrington 1 (2)
- George Munsey 15 (11)
Romario Shepherd to Richie Berrington, Good length and on off, nips back in sharply. Richie Berrington gets cramped up for room and stabs it out to point.
Romario Shepherd to George Munsey, Fuller and on off, George Munsey drives it towards mid off for one.
Romario Shepherd to Richie Berrington, On a length and around off, Richie Berrington steers it to point for a run.
Richie Berrington walks out to replace Brandon McMullen in the middle.
Romario Shepherd to Brandon McMullen, OUT! DRAGGED ON! A disappointing end for Brandon McMullen, but Romario Shepherd will not mind at all. This is fuller in length and just around off. McMullen moves a long way across to scoop it over short fine, but he fails to get fully inside the line of the ball. Gets a bottom edge that crashes onto the leg pole, sending it flying out of the ground. Brandon departs for 14 off 12, and Scotland are 31/2, still needing 152 runs in 93 balls.
Romario Shepherd to George Munsey, Short of a length and on middle and leg, George Munsey pulls it away to deep square leg for a run.
Romario Shepherd to Brandon McMullen, Hard length, on middle, angling into the body of the batter, Brandon McMullen tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.
Romario Shepherd comes in as the first bowling change.
- Brandon McMullen 13 (10)
- George Munsey 13 (9)
Jason Holder to Brandon McMullen, Uppish but safe! A bit fuller this time, on middle, Brandon McMullen tries to loft it down the ground but hits it from the toe-end of the bat. It lands well in front of Gudakesh Motie, who collects it on the bounce and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. They cross.
Jason Holder to Brandon McMullen, WIDE! Bangs in a bouncer, on middle, a bit too high, Brandon McMullen leaves it alone. Wided.
Jason Holder to George Munsey, Much fuller and on middle, angling in, George Munsey knocks it towards mid on and sets off for the run. Matthew Forde charges onto the ball but lets it through. However, it does not cost them any extra runs.
Jason Holder to Brandon McMullen, Low full toss, on middle, angling in, Brandon McMullen clips it to deep square leg for a run.
Jason Holder to George Munsey, Short of a length and on middle, George Munsey rolls his wrists and pulls it through square leg for a single.
Jason Holder to George Munsey, Fuller delivery, on off, George Munsey drills it towards mid off.
Jason Holder to George Munsey, FOUR! Pure timing! Jason Holder lands this on a good length and around off. George Munsey extends his hands to get on top of the bounce. He does not try to hit it too hard just pushes at it and finds the gap at covers as the ball races to the fence for a boundary.
- Brandon McMullen 11 (8)
- George Munsey 7 (5)
Matthew Forde to Brandon McMullen, Pitched up and on off, Brandon McMullen clips it away towards mid-wicket.
Matthew Forde to George Munsey, Slower one, full and on middle, George Munsey looks to play but gets an inside edge through square leg for another run.
Matthew Forde to Brandon McMullen, On a length and around off, Brandon McMullen uses his feet and drives it on the up to sweeper cover for a run.
Matthew Forde to Brandon McMullen, SIX! BANG! Take that, says Brandon McMullen. Matthew Forde hits the length hard and around middle. McMullen clears his front leg away and hits it through the line to launch it over the long on fence for a biggie.
Matthew Forde to Brandon McMullen, Back of a length and around off, Brandon McMullen punches it hard but straight to extra cover.
Matthew Forde to George Munsey, Good length and around leg, George Munsey picks it off his hips and helps it towards deep fine leg for a single. Windies have learnt their lesson from the first over and kept a fielder there.
- Brandon McMullen 4 (4)
- George Munsey 5 (3)
Jason Holder to Brandon McMullen, Pulls his length back and around off, Brandon McMullen steers it away towards point. 5 runs and a wicket from Holder's first over!
Jason Holder to Brandon McMullen, FOUR! Gets off the mark in style! Touch fuller and on middle and leg. Brandon McMullen comes down the track but stays leg side of the ball. He presents the full face of the bat and belts it to the left of mid off for a boundary.
Jason Holder to Brandon McMullen, Short of a length and on off, Brandon McMullen dabs it down to point.
Jason Holder to Brandon McMullen, On a length and around off, Brandon McMullen looks to push it away but gets an inside egde onto his pads.
Brandon McMullen is out at 3 to bat for Scotland.
Jason Holder to Michael Jones, OUT! TAKEN IN THE DEEP! Jason Holder draws first blood. He bowls this on a good length and around middle. Michael Jones stays in his crease this time and tries to slog it across the line. The ball bounces a bit more than he expects, and it flies off the inside half of the bat. Sherfane Rutherford at deep square leg, moves to his left and snaffles it up nicely. Jones walks back for 1 off 5, and Scotland are 7/1, chasing 183 runs.
Jason Holder to Michael Jones, WIDE! Fuller delivery but down the leg side, Michael Jones fails to glance it away. Called a wide.
Jason Holder to Michael Jones, Jason Holder begins with a back-of-the-length delivery, outside off, gets some extra bounce. Michael Jones walks across but leaves it alone.
Jason Holder will share the attack with the ball.
- George Munsey 5 (3)
- Michael Jones 1 (3)
Matthew Forde to George Munsey, Hits the length hard, on off, George Munsey keeps it out to the off side. 6 runs off the first over!
Matthew Forde to George Munsey, FOUR! Lovely shot! Fuller delivery, full and angling into the pads. George Munsey brings his wrists into play, uses the angle and whips it away to the deep backward square leg fence for the first boundary of the chase.
Matthew Forde to Michael Jones, On length and on off, Michael Jones moves across again and knocks it towards mid on for a run.
Matthew Forde to Michael Jones, Half-chance! Back of a length and on off, Michael Jones gets across and stabs it down the strip. George Munsey sets off for the run but is sent back. Forde on his follow-through, moves to his right but fails to pick up the ball cleanly, or else there could have been a chance of a run out.
Matthew Forde to Michael Jones, Hint of movement! Good length and on off, nips back in a bit, Michael Jones pushes it towards cover. He wants the run but his partner sends him back.
Matthew Forde to George Munsey, Scotland are up and running in the chase! Matthew Forde starts with a hard-length delivery, on off, George Munsey stays back and pats it in front of point for a quick single.
Up for a quick chat - Shimron Hetmyer says the outing was a mix of good and bad. The good was being out in the middle and contributing, while the bad was just how hot it was out there. He jokes that it seemed like he was the only one really feeling the heat, adding that he even asked the umpires, who told him they did not feel it as much. He says the key for him is batting with a clear mind and being ready to cash in whenever the ball is there to be hit. He adds that everyone knows that the West Indies are a strong boundary-hitting side, but where they can fall short at times is in managing singles and dot balls, and that is something they are keen to improve by limiting the number of dots.
Former New Zealand batter Tom Bruce strengthens the middle order, Afghanistan-born 19-year-old seamer Zainullah Ihsan brings raw pace, while Watt’s variations and Brandon McMullen’s explosive hitting — including a 95 off 39 in a warm-up — highlight their potential to spring surprises.
West Indies, two-time champions who last lifted the trophy at this very venue in 2016, will nonetheless pose a serious threat despite mixed recent form.
Sherfane Rutherford (334 runs) and Shai Hope (276 runs) impressed in the recently concluded SA20 for Pretoria Capitals, while Shamar Joseph and Akeal Hosein provide plenty of firepower with the ball.
Match Statistics
Venue
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
