Shimron Hetmyer struck a counter-attacking fifty before Romario Shepherd unleashed a stunning five-wicket burst, including a hat-trick, as two-time champions West Indies began their T20 World Cup campaign with a comfortable 35-run win over Scotland in their group C fixture here on Saturday.

Back at the venue where they had lifted their second T20 World Cup title a decade ago, West Indies were made to work early before Hetmyer’s 36-ball 64 (6×6, 2×4) lifted them to a competitive 182/5. In reply, Guyanese pacer Shepherd blew away the lower order with a sensational spell of 5/20 to bowl out Scotland for 147 in 18.5 overs.

Shepherd finished the game in dramatic fashion as he ripped through the tail with four wickets in five deliveries, including Matthew Cross, Michael Leask and Oliver Davidson off successive balls, to complete his second T20I hat-trick in four months.

He later added Safyaan Sharif to register his maiden five-wicket haul, returning with outstanding figures of 5/20 in three overs. He had also taken a hat-trick against Bangladesh in October. For West Indies, who had a difficult build-up, including a shock series loss to Nepal, it was redemption of sorts, having endured a shock loss to Scotland in the 2022-23 edition.

Scotland, who learnt about their participation barely two weeks before the tournament after Bangladesh’s withdrawal, showed discipline with the ball but their lack of preparation reflected in the chase.

Having trained indoors through winter full of one-foot snow back home, Scotland got their first proper outdoor sessions only during the warm-ups at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru in India.

Berrington struck a brisk 42 off 24 balls (3×4, 2×6) and Tom Bruce made 35 from 28 balls (1×4, 2×6), but the boundaries dried up regularly and the asking rate kept climbing. Jason Holder removed the skipper with a slower ball to break their 78-run stand and also became the first West Indian to complete 100 T20I wickets.

Hetmyer capped a fine outing with a full-length diving, one-handed catch at cover to dismiss opener George Munsey that lifted their tempo early on. Earlier, Scotland justified their decision to bowl with a disciplined start.

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