Shimron Hetmyer created history and then pulled off one of the best catches of the game, a breathtaking power hitting turn made dramatic for West Indies during the T20 World Cup 2025 match against Scotland at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday, February 7.
Asked to bat first, Brandon King and captain Shai Hope gave West Indies a solid start by adding 54 runs for the first wicket against Scotland. But then, the two-time T20 World Cup champions were suddenly reduced to 58 for 2 in the 10th over, putting the pressure back on the middle-order.
Shimron Hetmyer lights up T20 World Cup 2026 with record-breaking blitz at Eden Gardens
Then Shimron Hetmyer came and completely changed the course of the match. The aggressive batsman launched a strong counterattack which left the Scotland team stunned. He added 81 runs for the third wicket with Rovman Powell, which increased the pressure on the rival team.
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The left-handed batsman was in full attacking mode and completed his half-century in just 22 balls. Hetmyer broke the old record of West Indies’ Chris Gayle with his explosive innings. The record of scoring the fastest half-century for West Indies in the T20 World Cup is now in the name of Hetmyer.
Gayle took 23 balls to score a half-century in the T20 World Cup against Australia at The Oval in 2009, while Hetmyer took one ball less than the universal boss. Just when Hetmyer was looking unstoppable, the game took another interesting turn at the Eden Gardens.
Brandon McMullen’s flying catch ends Shimron Hetmyer’s fireworks
Safyaan Sharif bowled a high full toss to Hetmyer, and it came straight to the batsman at good height. The flamboyant batsman tried to hit it too hard and slogged it towards the wide mid-wicket region. Brandon McMullen, who was standing at long-on, ran quickly to his left, covered a lot of ground and then slipped on the grass to reach the ball.
While sliding, McMullen extended both his hands and made a spectacular catch just before the ball touched the ground. Since the surprise catch was so close, the umpires decided to check it with a third umpire to confirm whether the ball was legal and that the ball had not touched the ground.
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McMullen’s effort got the third umpire’s signal
Third umpire Jayaraman Madangopal first checked the height of the ball. He confirmed that the ball was below Hetmyer’s waist, meaning it was a legal delivery. Then it became clear that the ball did not come out of McMullen’s hand even after hitting the ground.
As a result, Hetmyer had to go back to the dugout after scoring 64 runs with the help of 2 fours and 6 sixes in 36 balls against Scotland in Kolkata.
Catch by McMullen at wide long-on as the dangerous Hetmyer moves inches off the turf.
Tested, cleaned, and absolutely sensational!
icc men #T20WorldCup | #WIvSCO | LIVE NOW https://t.co/0WePayvggJ pic.twitter.com/9lHwHGUK5f– Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) 7 February 2026
However, Hetmyer’s innings helped West Indies post 182/5 in 20 overs in the T20 World Cup 2026 group match against Scotland.
Jason Holder created history
On the other hand, former West Indies captain and star all-rounder Jason Holder became the first West Indian to take 100 wickets in T20I cricket after dismissing Richie Berrington at the Eden Gardens. Now West Indies need five wickets to defeat Scotland in the opening match of the tournament.
