Kolkata, February 7: The first match of Group C in the T20 World Cup 2026 is underway at Eden Gardens, featuring West Indies and Scotland. Scotland won the toss and opted to bowl first. West Indies set a target of 183 runs for Scotland to chase.
West Indies had a slow start, with openers Brandon King and Shai Hope contributing 54 runs for the first wicket in 8.2 overs. Captain Hope scored 19 runs off 22 balls before being dismissed. King followed soon after, scoring 35 runs off 30 balls, with the team total at 58.
A rapid partnership of 81 runs for the third wicket was formed between Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell, off just 37 balls. Powell managed 24 runs, hitting 2 sixes and 1 four from 14 balls before getting out.
Hetmyer then partnered with Sherfane Rutherford for 36 runs off 21 balls for the fourth wicket. Hetmyer was dismissed at a score of 175, having played an explosive innings of 64 runs from 36 balls, which included 6 sixes and 2 fours. He reached his half-century in just 22 balls, marking the fastest fifty by a West Indies batsman in T20 World Cup history. Thanks to Hetmyer’s performance, West Indies finished their innings at 182 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in 20 overs.
Rutherford contributed 26 runs off 13 balls, while Romario Shepherd scored 6 runs off 3 balls, and Matthew Ford remained not out with 1 run from 2 balls.
For Scotland, Bradley Currie was the standout bowler, taking 2 wickets for 23 runs in 4 overs. Safyaan Sharif, Oliver Davidson, and Michael Leask each claimed 1 wicket.
It is noteworthy that Scotland was not initially part of the T20 World Cup. They were granted entry into Group C following the withdrawal of the Bangladesh cricket team.