England’s Tom Banton performs a shot throughout ICC Males’s T20 World Cup 2026 group stage match towards Scotland at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on February 14, 2026. — AFP
Tom Banton’s fluent half-century, backed by a disciplined bowling show, powered England to a five-wicket win over Scotland of their third group stage fixture of the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Saturday.
Chasing a modest goal, England received off to a rocky begin, shedding each openers early within the powerplay.
Brandon McMullen dismissed Phil Salt for simply two runs off three balls, whereas Brad Currie despatched again wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler cheaply for 3 off 4 deliveries.
Jacob Bethell and Tom Banton steadied the innings with a stable partnership, including 66 runs and easing early stress.
Bethell performed a vital knock of 32 off 28 balls, that includes two boundaries and a six, earlier than being dismissed by Oliver Davidson at 79-3 in 9.3 overs.
England’s captain Harry Brook fell for 4 runs off as many balls, leaving the group in a difficult state of affairs. Sam Curran then joined Banton to forge a vital 46-run partnership, serving to the aspect cross the 100-run mark.
Banton continued his fantastic type, elevating his fifty and ending unbeaten on 63 off 41 balls, together with 4 boundaries and three sixes.
Curran contributed 28 off 20 deliveries with one 4 and two sixes earlier than being dismissed by Brad Wheal.
Will Jacks sealed the victory, hitting the profitable runs and remaining unbeaten on 16 off 10 balls, together with a 4 and a six.
England chased the goal in 18.2 overs, ending at 5 wickets down, and saved their Tremendous Eight marketing campaign alive with this very important win.
Batting first, Scotland received off to a promising begin however misplaced momentum rapidly. Opener George Munsey fell cheaply for 4 off six balls, together with a boundary off Jofra Archer.
In the identical over, Archer struck once more, dismissing Brandon McMullen for a second-ball duck, leaving Scotland reeling at 18-2 in simply 2.5 overs.
Michael Jones and skipper Richie Berrington then rebuilt the innings with a gradual partnership. Jones was ultimately dismissed by Sam Curran for a brisk 33 off 20 deliveries, which included 5 fours and a six.
Berrington joined forces with Tom Bruce to place collectively a 50-run stand for the fourth wicket, easing the stress and taking Scotland previous the 50-run mark.
Bruce fell for twenty-four off 18 balls, that includes a 4 and a six, dismissed by Liam Dawson, leaving Scotland at 113-4 in 12.4 overs.
The Scottish innings faltered within the center overs, shedding wickets in fast succession.
Skipper Berrington fell for 49 off 32 balls, together with 5 fours and two sixes, to Adil Rashid, whereas Michael Leask was dismissed for one, once more by Dawson.
Rashid then struck twice extra, eradicating Matthew Cross for eight and Mark Watt for 2, leaving Scotland in serious trouble at 127-8 in 16 overs.
Jamie Overton claimed Brad Wheal for 2, whereas the innings concluded with Brad Currie run out for 2. Oliver Davidson remained unbeaten, scoring a useful 20 off 15 balls with two fours and a six.
For England, Adil Rashid was the standout bowler, ending with figures of three/36 in 4 overs. Liam Dawson and Jofra Archer took two wickets every, whereas Sam Curran and Jamie Overton chipped in with one wicket apiece.
