In the world of cricket, few things are as electrifying as a fast bowler finding their rhythm under the lights of a historic venue. On Saturday, February 7, 2026, Romario Shepherd did more than just find his rhythm—he etched his name into the record books.
During the West Indies’ T20 World Cup opener against Scotland at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Shepherd became the first-ever West Indian to take a hat-trick in T20 World Cup history. Laser247 Pro To make the feat even more remarkable, he finished the over with four wickets, dismantling the Scottish chase in a matter of minutes.
The Over That Changed Everything
Scotland was putting up a spirited fight, chasing a target of 183. At 132-5 in the 17th over, the game was still technically alive. Then came the "Shepherd Cyclone."
Ball 2: Shepherd dismisses Matthew Cross, caught at backward point.
Ball 3: Michael Leask is caught at long-on off the next delivery.
Ball 4 (The Hat-trick): A searing delivery clean bowls Oliver Davidson, sending the Eden Gardens crowd into a frenzy.
Ball 6: After a dot ball, Shepherd returns to remove Safyaan Sharif, caught at mid-off by Jason Holder.
Within five legal deliveries, Shepherd had taken four wickets, conceded just one run, and transformed a competitive match into a dominant 35-run victory for the Men in Maroon.
Joining the Elite
Shepherd's feat is not just a personal milestone; it places him in a very exclusive club. He is now the ninth bowler to take a hat-trick in the T20 World Cup, joining legends like Brett Lee, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Pat Cummins.
Perhaps more impressively, Shepherd has now joined the ranks of Lasith Malinga and Tim Southee as one of the few bowlers to have two career T20I hat-tricks (having previously achieved the feat against Bangladesh in 2025).
Match Summary: A Perfect Start for WI
While Shepherd took the headlines, it was a complete team performance that secured the win:
Shimron Hetmyer set the stage with a blistering 64 off 36 balls, including six massive sixes.
Jason Holder provided the perfect foil to Shepherd, taking 3-30 and reaching his own milestone of 100 T20I wickets.
West Indies posted 182/5, a total that proved too much for Scotland once the "Shepherd's Pie" was served in the 17th over.
Why This Matters
For the West Indies, a team with a storied but sometimes inconsistent T20 history, this performance is a statement of intent. Starting the 2026 campaign with a record-breaking bowling spell and a solid batting display sends a clear message to the rest of Group C: the two-time champions are back and they mean business.
As Romario Shepherd walks away with his maiden five-wicket haul (5-20) and a piece of history, the Caribbean fans have every reason to believe that 2026 could be another golden year for West Indies cricket.
