WI vs Scotland: Hetmyer’s Record-Breaking Fifty Lifts West Indies to 182/5

Shimron Hetmyer lit up Eden Gardens with a record-setting knock as West Indies powered their way to 182 for 5 against Scotland in their opening match of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, overturning a slow start with a burst of clean, calculated hitting.

Scotland chose to field and made early inroads under humid Kolkata conditions. Brad Currie kept the new ball tight and struck inside the powerplay. West Indies reached only 54 for 1 in the first 9 overs and struggled to find timing against disciplined seam bowling.

The shift came when spin entered the attack, and Hetmyer took charge. Walking in with the innings stuck, the left-hander countered immediately, using his reach and bat speed to target the straight boundary. He brought up his half-century in just 22 balls, the fastest T20 World Cup fifty by a West Indian, going past the previous mark held by Chris Gayle. His 64 off 36 deliveries included six sixes and broke Scotland’s grip on the contest.

King supported with a steady 35 off 30 before falling to a slower ball from debutant Oliver Davidson, who picked up his first T20I wicket. But Scotland could not fully halt the momentum once Hetmyer found range.

The closing overs added further damage. Rovman Powell and Sherfane Rutherford attacked the death bowling and added 42 runs in the final three overs. Rutherford cleared the ropes twice in the 19th, while Powell’s 24 from 14 balls ensured West Indies crossed the 180 mark.

Currie finished with 2 for 23 and remained Scotland’s most effective bowler, but the target of 183 leaves them needing a standout chase to deny the two-time champions a winning start.