Romario Shepherd enters Malinga territory with historic T20 World Cup hat-trick; completes five-for in Scotland win

Romario Shepherd took a hat-trick and five-wicket haul in the same over during West Indies' T20 World Cup opener against Scotland.

Published on: Feb 7, 2026, 19:39:10 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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Romario Shepherd went on a carnage in the West Indies' T20 World Cup 2026 opener against Scotland, taking a hat-trick and then completing a four-wicket haul in the same over. The spell totally destroyed Scotland's tailenders. Chasing 183, Scotland were 132/5 after 16 overs, before Shepherd's arrival. Shepherd also joined Lasith Malinga, Tim Southee, Pat Cummins in the list of bowlers with two T20I hat-tricks. Meanwhile, he is also the first West Indies cricketer to get a T20 World Cup hat-trick.

Romario Shepherd became the first West Indies cricketer to get a T20 World Cup hat-trick. (AP)

After conceding a single on the first ball, Shepherd had Matthew Cross caught behind and Michael Leask caught near long-on. Then he removed Oliver Davidson to complete his hat-trick. New batter Safyaan Sharif managed to survive the next delivery, but then fell in the final ball as Jason Holder took a catch at mid-off. Scotland were all out for 147 in 18.5 overs, and Shepherd finished with figures of 5/20.

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Hailing Shepherd's spell, Man of the Match Shimron Hetmyer claimed that he thought his teammate would get the award. "That was phenomenal. I actually thought he was going to get this, to be fair," he said.

"But I'm excited for him. He's really been working hard on his bowling and I'm really, really proud of him and happy. He's happy as well", he added.

Hetmyer was key in the first innings, getting a 22-ball fifty. He ended up smacking 64 runs off 36 balls, laced with two fours and six sixes, as West Indies posted 182/5 in 20 overs. He built crucial partnerships with Rovman Powell (24) and Sherfane Rutherford (26).

Meanwhile, West Indies captain Shai Hope revealed that he was surprised. "Very surprising there to be fair. Good impact again. Put his hand up where we needed him most. They really got a nice start there, fighting the middle overs. They were going pretty nicely and it got a lot better for the bat on. And just coming in there, taking those crucial wickets. They're putting further pressure back on their batting lineup. And Shepherd, I think, is the second hat-trick in T20. So great for him and just to see him going well with the ball as well", he said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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