New Delhi: Shimron Hetmyer smashed a half-century while Romario Shepherd claimed a sensational fifer to set up West Indies’ stunning win over Scotland in the T20 World Cup opener. An all-round effort from the West Indies side helped them bag a 35-run win over the Scots to begin their campaign in the most desired way.
Chasing 183 runs in their opening Group C clash, Scotland were bundled out for 147 runs in 18.5 overs with Shepherd being the wrecker in chief with figures of 5 for 20 in 3 overs. Apart from his match-winning five-wicket haul, Jason Holder also claimed figures of 3 for 30 to further damage their batters in the chase.
Shamar Joseph and Gudakesh Motie also added to the cause by claiming a wicket each. For Scotland, skipper Richie Berrington played a stunning knock of 42 runs in just 24 balls, bringing the side close to a win but he got dismissed before completing his fifty.
Tom Bruce was the other major contributor with 35 runs but he too failed to convert his knock into big innings. Rest of the batters failed to showcase some effort against a quality bowling produced by the Windies.
Hetmyer shines with fastest fifty for WI
Earlier in the first innings, Shimron Hetmyer (64) slammed the fastest fifty for the team in the history of the tournament while Brandon King added 35 runs to power West Indies to a score of 182 for 5 in the stipulated 20 overs. Sherfane Rutherford and Rovman Powell also contributed with 26 and 24 runs in the first innings for the side.
For Scotland, Brad Currie claimed two wickets while Safyaan Sharif, Oliver Davidson, and Michael Leask also contributed with a wicket apiece but could not stop West Indies in posting a competitive total on the board. West Indies play their next match against England while Scotland face Italy on Monday.