KOLKATA: England kept their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Super Eight aspirations on track with a five-wicket victory over Scotland at Eden Gardens on Saturday.
Chasing a modest target of 153, England’s innings got off to a disastrous start. Brandon McMullen removed Phil Salt for just two runs off three balls, while Brad Currie sent back England captain Jos Buttler for a three-ball duck, leaving the side reeling in the powerplay.
The recovery began through Jacob Bethell and Tom Banton, who stitched together a crucial 66-run partnership to steady the ship. Bethell contributed a vital 32 off 28 balls, laced with two boundaries and a six, before falling to Oliver Davidson with the score at 79-3 in the 10th over.
Skipper Harry Brook’s stay was brief, managing only four runs, leaving England in a precarious position. Sam Curran then joined Banton, and the duo forged a resilient 46-run stand that took the team past the 100-run mark.
Banton anchored the innings with a composed fifty, remaining unbeaten on 63 off 41 balls, an innings decorated with four boundaries and three sixes. Curran provided valuable acceleration with a quickfire 28 off 20 deliveries, featuring one four and two sixes, before his dismissal by Brad Wheal.
Will Jacks applied the finishing touch, remaining unbeaten on 16 off 10 balls as England reached the target in 18.2 overs.
The victory, England’s second in the tournament, keeps their campaign alive as they eye a spot in the Super Eight stage.
Earlier, England won the toss and chose to bowl first against Scotland. They produced a disciplined bowling display to dismiss Scotland for 152 in 19.4 overs.
Scotland began positively after being put in to bat but suffered early setbacks. George Munsey departed for four, and Jofra Archer struck twice in quick succession, removing Brandon McMullen for a duck to leave Scotland struggling at 18-2 inside three overs.
A recovery followed as Michael Jones and captain Richie Berrington steadied the innings. Jones played fluently for 33 off 20 balls before falling to Sam Curran. Berrington then combined with Tom Bruce in a 50-run partnership that carried Scotland beyond the 100-run mark. Bruce made 24 before being dismissed by Liam Dawson.
Scotland’s momentum faltered in the middle overs. Berrington fell just short of a half-century, scoring 49 off 32 balls, as Adil Rashid triggered a collapse. Rashid went on to claim two more wickets, removing Matthew Cross and Mark Watt, reducing Scotland to 127-8.
Jamie Overton accounted for Brad Wheal, while Brad Currie was run out late in the innings. Oliver Davidson remained unbeaten on 20.
Rashid led England’s attack with impressive figures of 3/36, while Archer and Dawson picked up two wickets each in a collective effort.
Squads
England: Harry Brook (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue and Luke Wood.
Scotland: Richie Berrington (c), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross, Bradley Currie, Oliver Davidson, Chris Greaves, Zainullah Ihsan, Michael Jones, Michael Leask, Finlay McCreath, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Mark Watt and Bradley Wheal.
