NZ vs SCO: New Zealand's (NZ) Predicted Playing XI Against Scotland (SCO) - ICC T20 World Cup 2021, Match 32

After losing their first game against Pakistan, New Zealand made a remarkable comeback in their Super 12 campaign of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 on Sunday. The Blackcaps restricted India to just 110 runs in the first innings and then chased down the score in 14.3 overs.

With that win, New Zealand boosted their ambitions of reaching the semi-finals. New Zealand are currently sitting at the third position on the points table with 1 win and 1 defeat. Kane Williamson and Co. are slated to play their third match against Scotland on Wednesday. Here’s a look at the predicted playing XI of New Zealand against Scotland.

NZ vs SCO: New Zealand’s (NZ) Predicted Playing XI Against Scotland (SCO) – ICC T20 World Cup 2021, Match 32

Openers: Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell

Both Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell are amongst the runs. Daryl Mitchell played a valuable 49-run knock in the last game against India. Martin Guptill played some heart-warming shots in the last two games but would be gutted to not have converted the starts into big scores.

Ahead of the next game against a weak Scotland team, Martin Guptill should look to play a big knock and return to form.

Middle-order: Kane Williamson, G Phillips, Devon Conway

The middle-order is key to New Zealand’s fortune in the tournament. Kane Williamson, undoubtedly, is their biggest bet. He played an unbeaten 33-run knock in the last game but the other two also need to show consistent performances if New Zealand have to go deep in the tournament.

Both got the opportunity to bat in the first match against Pakistan. Phillips scored 13 off 15 deliveries, while Conway managed to amass 27 off 24 balls.

All-rounders: Jimmy Neesham and Mitchell Santner

Jimmy Neesham provides a great balance to this New Zealand’s strong side. He fell cheaply for 2 runs against Pakistan and gave away 18 runs in 3 overs with the ball. New Zealand didn’t find the need to use Neesham in either department in the last game against India.

Mitchell Santner should continue to be the first-choice spinner for the side. He has been a consistent performer with the ball. The southpaw rarely has a bad day with the ball and this is one of the reasons behind New Zealand’s success with the ball in all phases of the game. Santner gave away just 15 runs in four overs against India.

Bowlers: Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, and Ish Sodhi

All the four bowlers were sensational in the last game against India. Trent Boult and Tim Southee didn’t allow the Indian openers to score freely in the powerplay. The duo ensured that both the openers depart inside the first six overs. Adam Milne went for plenty of runs in his first over but then made a sensational comeback.

Ish Sodhi, yet again, produced a sensational spell against India. Sodhi took the two crucial wickets of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to leave India in complete disarray. Boult finished with 3 wickets, while Sodhi picked two.