Eden Gardens witnessed cricketing drama on February 7 as West Indies launched T20 World Cup 2026 with a 32-run thrashing of Scotland. Romario Shepherd’s unforgettable over, including the tournament’s 10th hat-trick, proved the difference in a match that swung dramatically.
West Indies posted 182, and Scotland, chasing briskly, reached 132 for 5 after 16 overs—51 needed off 24 balls with wickets to spare. Then Shepherd bowled the 17th: Cross lbw second ball, Leask bowled third, Davidson third-ball victim for the hat-trick, and Sharif caught off the last to claim four in the over. Scotland crashed to 147, all out in 18.5 overs.
The 28-year-old’s 5-20 earned him distinction as West Indies’ inaugural T20 WC hat-trick taker and the ninth globally.
From Brett Lee’s trailblazing strike in 2007 against Bangladesh, to the 2021 trio of Campher (Ireland-Netherlands), Hasaranga (SL-SA), and Rabada (SA-England), then 2022’s Meiyappan (UAE-SL) and Little (Ireland-NZ), Cummins’ double in 2024 (Bangladesh, Afghanistan), and Jordan’s 2024 gem versus USA—Shepherd now crowns the list.
Beyond stats, Shepherd’s intervention showcased all-round brilliance, boosting West Indies’ title aspirations early in Group C.