Jason Holder Creates History in West Indies' T20 World Cup 2026 Opener
West Indies began their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a commanding 35-run victory over Scotland, but the night truly belonged to Jason Holder. The former captain etched his name into the record books by becoming the first West Indies bowler to claim 100 wickets in T20 International cricket.
A Landmark Achievement in the 13th Over
The historic moment arrived during the 13.2 over of Scotland's innings. Holder clean bowled Scotland skipper Richie Berrington, securing his 100th T20I scalp. This achievement places Holder in an exclusive club of cricketing legends who have taken 100 wickets across all three formats of men's international cricket.
Holder now joins the elite company of Lasith Malinga, Tim Southee, Shakib Al Hasan, Shaheen Afridi, and Jasprit Bumrah as the only players to accomplish this remarkable feat. His consistent performance across Test, ODI, and T20I cricket underscores his status as one of the modern era's most versatile all-rounders.
West Indies Post Competitive Total After Slow Start
Earlier in the match, Scotland won the toss and elected to bowl first. The West Indies innings began cautiously, but they accelerated impressively to post a formidable total of 182 for 5 in their allotted 20 overs. The recovery was spearheaded by a blistering knock from Shimron Hetmyer.
Batting at number three, the left-handed Hetmyer played a match-defining innings of 64 runs from just 36 balls. He also recorded the fastest fifty by a West Indies batter in T20 World Cup history, reaching the milestone in a mere 22 deliveries. His aggressive stroke play provided the crucial momentum that propelled the West Indies to a challenging score.
Shepherd's Hat-Trick Heroics and Scotland's Collapse
In response, Scotland's chase never gained significant traction against a disciplined West Indies bowling attack. The innings unraveled completely in the 17th over, courtesy of a spectacular spell from Romario Shepherd.
Shepherd produced a stunning over, taking four wickets including a hat-trick, which effectively ended Scotland's hopes. He finished with exceptional bowling figures of 3 overs for 20 runs and 5 wickets, showcasing his ability to deliver under pressure in a global tournament.
Scotland were eventually bowled out for 147 in 18.5 overs. Fittingly, it was Jason Holder who sealed the comprehensive victory by taking the final wicket of the match. This brought Scotland's innings to a close and capped off a landmark night for both Holder personally and West Indies cricket collectively.
A Strong Start to the Tournament
The victory provides West Indies with a perfect start to their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. The team demonstrated a balanced performance with both bat and ball, highlighting their potential as serious contenders in the tournament.
Holder's milestone achievement adds a significant chapter to West Indies cricket history, while the team's overall performance signals their intent to compete at the highest level. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on whether the West Indies can maintain this momentum and build on their successful opening match.
