Shimron Hetmyer on Saturday smashed a 22-ball fifty against Scotland at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, recording the fastest half-century by a West Indies batter in a T20 World Cup match.

Hetmyer broke the 17-year-old record held by Chris Gayle, who had reached the milestone in 23 balls against Australia at the 2009 edition. Gayle’s 17-ball fifty against South Africa in 2015 remains the fastest by a West Indies batter across all T20Is.

The overall record for the quickest fifty in men’s T20 World Cups belongs to Yuvraj Singh, who struck a 12-ball half-century against England in the inaugural tournament in 2007.

On Saturday, Hetmyer’s 64 off 36 balls helped West Indies post 182 for five despite a slow start. Shai Hope and Brandon King got off to a tepid start and could add just 33 runs in the PowerPlay.

The 29-year-old walked in in the ninth over after Hope was dismissed on 19 off 22 balls. Hetmyer forged an 81-run partnership for the third wicket with Rovman Powell to put the West Indies innings back on track.

He was on course to provide the final flourish as well but fell in the penultimate over of the innings after Brandon McMullen took a brilliant catch at long on.

Published on Feb 07, 2026