West Indies reeling amid 'awful' scenes at the T20 World Cup

The West Indies' T20 World Cup hopes have taken a dramatic hit after the two-time champions were stunned by minnows Scotland in their group stage match.

Fresh after Namibia's shock 55-run win over heavyweights Sri Lanka, the Scots provided the second major upset of the tournament courtesy of a 42-run triumph over the Windies.

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Scotland's extraordinary victory came off the back of some superb work from their spinners and some rock-solid outfield catching.

The Scots posted 5-160 after losing the toss in Hobart on Monday evening before spinners Mark Watt (3-12 from four overs) and Michael Leask (2-15 from four overs) put the West Indies to the sword.

The Windies, who won the tournament in 2012 and 2016, couldn't get a partnership going, with the loss seriously denting their chances of finishing in the top two of their group and progressing to the Super 12 phase of the tournament.

The West Indies lost seven wickets for just 26 runs in a horror period that extended from the sixth over to the 13th.

West Indies coach Phil Simmons said his side lacked professionalism, lashing their soft dismissals.

"You'e got to sum up the situation of the game and play to the situation. I don't think we did that," he said.

Scotland's stunning upset left the cricket world in disbelief, with many fans taking aim at the "awful" display from the Windies.

Experienced West Indies allrounder Jason Holder top scored with 38 from 33 balls but ran out of help, leaving the two-time world champions with some serious soul-searching to do.

It is the second sizeable upset in as many days after minnows Namibia thrashed Sri Lanka by 55 runs in Geelong on Sunday.

Scotland grabbed several tricky outfield catches, while Watt picked up his three scalps bowling from well behind the crease.

Defeat leaves West Indies in precarious position

The West Indies' evening was summed up when Akeal Hosein was run out in the 13th over for one despite Leask needing a second attempt to dislodge the bails.

"We knew we were going to have to play well. But we back our skills," Scotland captain Richie Berrington said.

"It's a big win but that belief has always been there that we can do it."

Earlier, Scotland opener George Munsey anchored the innings with 66 not out from 53 balls.

Scotland got off to a flying start and were 0-54 after the powerplay thanks to Munsey, who scored six of his nine boundaries in the first six overs.

He whacked speedster Alzarri Joseph for three consecutive fours in the fourth over but struggled to regain his groove after a 45-minute rain delay in the sixth over.

Holder put the screws on after the rain with 2-14 but surprisingly bowled just the three of a maximum four overs.

In the other Group B game, allrounder Sikandar Raza guided Zimbabwe to a 31-run win over Ireland in Hobart.

Raza smacked 82 runs from 48 balls, including five fours and five sixes, as Zimbabwe posted 7-174, with Ireland only managing 9-143 in reply.

Group B sides West Indies, Scotland, Ireland and Zimbabwe are all fighting to qualify for the Super 12 stage of the tournament.

They play each other once, with the top two teams progressing to the next stage.

with AAP

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