Dubai will host Match 32 of ICC T20 World Cup 2021 between New Zealand and Scotland on October 3. New Zealand will start as favourites, but an impressive performance from Scotland can make things interesting.
New Zealand beat India after starting the World Cup with a defeat against Pakistan. They include aggressive batters at throughout the batting line-up, who bat around Kane Williamson, and key bowlers in these conditions in Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi. With India having lost two matches, all New Zealand need to do to qualify is win their remaining matches.
At the same time, it is an opportunity to test their bench strength. They can bring in Kyle Jamieson in place of one of their pacers.
For Scotland, it will be another tough match in the Super 12s. After winning all their matches in the qualifying round, they have now lost to Namibia and Afghanistan. They would have expected to win one of these, but they were blown away by Ruben Trumpelmann in one and by Afghanistan spinners in the other. Now they will have their toughest matches left against New Zealand, India, and Pakistan.
Scotland captain Kyle Coetzer is expected to be back after recovering from a bruised finger. The rest of the XI should remain the same, as they would look to continue with the same group who has carried them to Super 12s. This being a day/night match, they will hope that their spinners Mark Watt, Michael Leask, and Chris Greaves have a good game.
Head-to-head
New Zealand have beaten Scotland in the only T20I between the sides.
Likely XIs
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson (c), Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult.
Scotland: Kyle Coetzer (c), George Munsey, Richie Berrington, Calum McLeod, Matt Cross, Michael Leask, Chris Greaves, Mark Watt, Josh Davey, Safyaan Sharif, Brad Wheal.
Betway Fantasy Tips
- Spinners from both teams will be good picks in fantasy XIs
- New Zealand top order of Guptill, Mitchell, and Williamson should be popular fantasy picks
- Davey and Berrington have already been popular in fantasy teams
Fantasy XI
Devon Conway (wk); Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Calum McLeod; Richie Berrington, Daryl Mitchell (c), Michael Leask; Ish Sodhi (vc), Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Josh Davey