Hetmyer's Record-Breaking Fifty Powers West Indies to 182 in T20 World Cup Thriller

Shimron Hetmyer lit up Eden Gardens with a breathtaking display of power-hitting on Saturday, blasting 64 runs off just 36 balls to propel West Indies to 182/5 in their ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Group C clash against Scotland. The left-hander's explosive innings included two fours and six towering sixes, announced the Caribbean side's championship intentions in spectacular fashion.

Hetmyer's assault on the Scottish bowling attack produced a piece of history, as he reached his half-century in just 22 deliveries to break Chris Gayle's long-standing West Indies record for the fastest fifty in T20 World Cup competition. The Universe Boss had held the mark since 2009, when he reached the milestone in 23 balls against Australia. Hetmyer's strike rate exceeded 177 as he dominated the middle overs.

Scotland won the toss and elected to bowl first at the iconic Kolkata venue, but their bowlers struggled to contain the West Indies batsmen once the innings gained momentum. After a cautious start that saw the Windies manage just 33 runs without loss in the powerplay, Hetmyer shifted gears dramatically to accelerate the scoring rate and put Scotland under immense pressure.

Rovman Powell provided valuable support with a quickfire 24 runs from 14 deliveries, while Sherfane Rutherford chipped in with 26 off 13 balls to ensure West Indies posted a formidable total. The late contributions pushed the score past 180 and gave the two-time world champions significant momentum heading into the bowling innings.

Scotland's participation in the tournament came after Bangladesh withdrew from the competition, giving the Scots a reprieve and an unexpected opportunity to compete on the world stage. Captain Richie Berrington's side faces a challenging run chase at a venue known for high-scoring encounters, needing 183 runs to pull off what would be a stunning upset.

The match represents West Indies' opening fixture in their quest to reclaim T20 World Cup glory. With explosive batting talent throughout their lineup and Hetmyer in scintillating form, the Caribbean side has sent an early warning to their rivals that they remain serious contenders for the title despite recent struggles in international cricket.