NZ vs SCO Match Preview- ICC T20 World Cup 2021, Match 32

The 32^nd match of the ICC T20 World Cup is slated to be played between New Zealand and Scotland at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. The two teams have played against each other only once in T20Is.

New Zealand and Scotland met each other in a T20 international in the 2009 World T20 at The Oval. On Wednesday, the two teams will take on each other for the second time in T20 internationals.

NZ vs SCO Match Preview- ICC T20 World Cup 2021, Match 32

New Zealand:

After losing against Pakistan in their first match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, New Zealand needed a win to keep their hopes alive for the semis. Their next match against India wasn’t going to be easy for them to win. However, the Blackcaps came out with a plan and they implemented that beautifully.

Their bowlers were right on the money from the very first over. The likes of Trent Boult and Southee gave little room for the batsmen and sent both the openers back to the hut. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli didn’t stay too long as Ish Sodhi spun a web around them.

Mitchell Santner too bowled beautifully, while Adam Milne came back strongly after going for plenty in his first over. India, as a result, could only manage to score 110 runs in the first innings. New Zealand’s openers made a decent start before Martin Guptill fell in the fourth over but Daryl Mitchell went on to play a vital 49 off 35 deliveries. Kane Williamson too remained unbeaten on 33, helping New Zealand win the game by 8 wickets.

Ahead of the next game against Scotland, New Zealand would look to extend their winning momentum and bolster their chances of reaching the semi-finals.

Scotland:

Scotland, on the other hand, are coming into the contest on the back of two consecutive defeats. Given how they played in the first round of the competition, Scotland would be disappointed with their last two results. Their bowlers were hammered right, left, and centre by Afghanistan batsmen in the first game of the Super 12 round. They conceded 190 runs and were bundled out for a paltry 60-run total in the second innings.

The next game against Namibia produced yet another dismal performance with the bat. Scotland were restricted to just 109 runs in the first innings. The bowlers fought hard and did manage to take the game till the very last over. However, Namibia chased down the score eventually in 19.1 overs.

The likes of Munsey, Cross and Berrington have returned with low scores in the last two games. The trio needs to step up to the plate if they want to give a fight to New Zealand on Wednesday.