Holder and Shepherd Make History: WI Bowlers Break Records in T20 WC Opener
West Indies secured a remarkable victory in their ICC T20 World Cup opener against Scotland. The match took place on February 7, 2026, in Kolkata, where history was made as both Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd delivered record-breaking performances.
Jason Holder Reaches 100 T20I Wickets
Jason Holder achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first West Indies bowler to reach 100 wickets in T20 Internationals. In this match, he recorded impressive bowling figures of 3 wickets for 30 runs in 3.5 overs.
Holder’s record now stands at 101 wickets from 90 matches, boasting an average of 27.17 and an economy rate of 8.79. His career highlights include four four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul, with his best performance being 5 for 27.
Romario Shepherd’s Hat-trick and Five-Wicket Haul
Romario Shepherd also made headlines during the match by claiming a hat-trick and finishing with extraordinary figures of 5 wickets for just 20 runs in 3 overs. His performance helped reduce Scotland to a mere 147 all out.
Shepherd’s hat-trick included the dismissals of Matthew Cross, Michael Leask, and Oliver Davidson, all in the same over, and he closed out the over by claiming another wicket. This remarkable feat made him the fourth West Indies player to secure a T20I hat-trick.
West Indies Bowling Rankings
Following these performances, the top wicket-taker rankings for West Indies in T20Is are as follows:
- Jason Holder: 101 wickets in 90 matches
- Akael Hosein: 86 wickets in 91 matches (Best: 5/11)
- Romario Shepherd: 80 wickets in 75 matches (Best: 5/20)
- Dwayne Bravo: 78 wickets in 91 matches
Key Match Highlights
In terms of batting, West Indies set a target of 182 runs, highlighted by an 81-run partnership between Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell. Scotland struggled in their response, collapsing from 115 for 3 to 147 all out.
The standout performance for Scotland came from captain Richie Berrington, who scored 42 runs from just 24 deliveries. However, the West Indies bowlers proved too strong, leading their team to a convincing victory.
This match not only showcased individual brilliance from Holder and Shepherd but also illustrated West Indies’ dominance in T20 cricket. As they continue in the T20 World Cup, further records may be under threat as these bowlers push to enhance their legacy.
