T20 World Cup 2021: Strongest Scotland Predicted Playing XI against Pakistan

After their win over Bangladesh in the Qualifier, Scotland were deemed to be a force to reckon with in the 2021 edition of the T20 World Cup. Thereafter, the Kyle Coetzer-led team went on to defeat Oman and Papua New Guinea to enter the Super 12 with three wins on the trot.

However, the Scots have found the going tough in the second round as they have lost all their four matches until now. They are currently placed at the bottom of the table in Group 2 with a horrendous net run rate of -3.494.

In their previous game on Friday, India beat them by eight wickets after chasing down 86 in a mere 6.3 overs. Scotland are next set to lock horns with table-toppers Pakistan on Sunday at the Sharjah Cricket Ground. They might want to give their benched players chances in the next game.

Here is Scotland’s predicted Playing XI for PAK vs SCO Match:

Openers- George Munsey, Kyle Coetzer

George Munsey is currently the leading run-scorer for Scotland in the World Cup. The left-hander has notched 135 runs at an average of 18.60 and a strike rate of 125. In Scotland’s previous game against India, he scored in the 20s and looked good when the other batters flattered to deceive.

Munsey’s opening partner, Kyle Coetzer, hasn’t been all that great. He scored 41 runs against Oman, but has seemed off colour apart from that. Coetzer also looked ominous against New Zealand before getting out. The pair of Coetzer and Munsey need to take the Scotland team off to a good start.

Middle-Order- Richie Berrington, Calum Macleod, Matthew Cross

Richie Berrington’s campaign has gone from bad to worse ever since he scored 70 against PNG in Al Amerat. The right-hander came into the World Cup on the back of some stupendous form, but he has found the going tough. In seven games, Berrington has scored 123 runs at an average of 20.50.

Berrington has also bagged three ducks against Afghanistan, Namibia and India. Calum Macleod hasn’t been at his best either, having scored 43 runs at an average of 7.16. Matthew Cross, on the other hand, has chipped in with useful scores and has racked up 130 runs at an average of 21.66.

All-rounders- Michael Leask, Chris Greaves

Michael Leask has been the standout cricketer for Scotland in the tournament as he has delivered with both bat and ball. He has scored 116 runs at an average of 23.20, the highest among his teammates. He has picked up four wickets at an economy rate of 7.81. Chris Greaves hasn’t had the best of times after he got the Player of the Match award against Bangladesh. He needs to step up.

Bowlers- Mark Watt, Hamza Tahir, Safyaan Sharif, Bradley Wheal

The Scots may bring in left-arm spinner Hamza Tahir in place of paceman Alasdair Evans. Tahir has picked up 20 wickets in 12 T20Is with one four-wicket haul. On a slow and low deck in Sharjah, the tweaker may be hard to pounce on. Evans, in the meantime, has had a horrendous campaign.

The pacer has one wicket to show for his efforts and has leaked runs at an economy rate of 10.75. Brad Wheal and Safyaan Sharif have picked up a combined tally of 15 wickets. Spinner Mark Watt has seven wickets to his name, but his economy of 5.50 is the best among the Scotland batters.