NEW DELHI: West Indies announced their arrival at the T20 World Cup in emphatic fashion as Shimron Hetmyer's blistering half-century and a breathtaking spell from Romario Shepherd powered them to a commanding 35-run victory over Scotland in their Group C clash in Kolkata on Saturday.

Returning to the ground where they clinched their second world title a decade ago, the two-time champions were tested early before Hetmyer turned the momentum with a fierce counter-attack. His 64 off 36 balls, studded with six towering sixes and two boundaries, propelled West Indies to a formidable total of 182 for 5.

Scotland's chase showed early promise but was completely derailed by Shepherd, who produced a sensational burst at the death. The Guyana pacer tore through the lower order with figures of 5 for 20, dismissing Scotland for 147 in 18.5 overs.

Shepherd delivered the decisive blow in dramatic style, claiming four wickets in the space of five balls - including a hat-trick featuring Matthew Cross, Michael Leask and Oliver Davidson - before adding Safyaan Sharif to complete his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 internationals. It marked his second hat-trick in the format in just four months, having achieved the feat earlier against Bangladesh in October.

For West Indies, the victory carried added significance. After a turbulent build-up to the tournament, highlighted by a surprise series defeat to Nepal, the win offered a measure of redemption, particularly after their shock loss to Scotland in the previous T20 World Cup cycle.

"It was just good to see the guys came back in the middle overs and showed what the power that we possess. And again with the ball, just putting it hard this time around and getting it right," West Indies skipper Shai Hope said at the post-match presentation.

Scotland, who learnt about their participation barely two weeks before the tournament after Bangladesh's withdrawal, showed discipline with the ball but their lack of preparation reflected in the chase.

Having trained indoors through winter full of one-foot snow back home, Scotland got their first proper outdoor sessions only during the warm-ups at Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru in India.

"It was just good to see the guys came back in the middle overs and showed what the power that we possess. And again with the ball, just putting it hard this time around and getting it right," Scotland captain Richie Berrington said.

Berrington struck a brisk 42 off 24 balls (3x4, 2x6) and Tom Bruce made 35 from 28 balls (1x4, 2x6), but the boundaries dried up regularly and the asking rate kept climbing.

Jason Holder removed the skipper with a slower ball to break their 78-run stand and also became the first West Indian to complete 100 T20I wickets.

Hetmyer capped a fine outing with a full-length diving, one-handed catch at cover to dismiss opener George Munsey that lifted their tempo early on.

Earlier, Scotland justified their decision to bowl with a disciplined start.

Brandon King looked scratchy during his 35 off 30 balls, surviving a testing opening spell from Safyaan Sharif, while skipper Shai Hope (19) was cleaned up by Michael Leask's (1/42) quicker delivery.

Debutant left-arm spinner Oliver Davidson (1/23 in three overs) then struck with his second ball to keep the Windies in check. For the Scot, Brad Currie was most successful bowler picking 2/23.

But Hetmyer turned the game on its head with clean, calculated power-hitting, smashing six sixes and two fours in a 36-ball 64.

West Indies were an uncharacteristic 33 for no loss in the power play, managing just four boundaries while eating up 17 dot balls, which is nearly three overs without scoring.

At the halfway mark they were only 66/2 as the Scotland spinners, led by seasoned Mark Watt (0/38), bowled brilliantly.

But after the 10-over mark, Hetmyer slog-swept the spinners, pulled anything short with disdain and even launched an audacious inside-out six over covers as the momentum swung dramatically.

West Indies plundered 72 runs between overs 11 and 15 to surge to 138 for 2, with Hetmyer doing most of the damage.

The Guyanese southpaw found an able ally in Rovman Powell (24 off 14) as the duo added a brisk 81 off just 37 balls to seize complete control of the middle overs.

(With PTI Inputs)