Kamal Ghorui
Adil Rashid starred with the ball before Tom Banton finished the job with the bat as England defeated Scotland by five wickets in a crucial T20 World Cup Group C clash on Saturday to keep their Super Eights hopes alive. After their shock defeat to West Indies, England needed a win. Opting to field, they bowled Scotland out for 152 in 19.4 overs. Rashid (3/36) and Liam Dawson (2/34) turned the game around dramatically in the middle overs. Scotland were cruising at 113 for 3 in 12.3 overs and looked set for 180-plus. However, a collapse of five wickets for just 14 runs changed everything. Rashid, after conceding 26 runs in his first two overs, switched ends and struck three times, including the key wicket of skipper Richie Berrington for 49 off 32 balls. He then removed Matthew Cross and Mark Watt in quick succession. Dawson chipped in with two wickets in two overs as Scotland slumped from 113/3 to 127/8. Earlier, Jofra Archer (2/24) had struck inside the powerplay, dismissing George Munsey and Brandon McMullen in three balls. Michael Jones made 33 off 20 but Scotland were restricted to 42/3 at the end of six overs. Berrington and Bruce revived the innings with a 71-run stand off 41 balls, but England’s spin duo halted the charge. Jamie Overton also kept things tight with 1/23. Archer reached a milestone, becoming the third English quick after Stuart Broad and Mark Wood to claim 50 wickets in all three formats. Chasing 153, England stumbled early to 13 for 2. Phil Salt and Jos Buttler fell cheaply. Banton then steadied the innings, scoring an unbeaten 63 off 41 balls, with four fours and three sixes. He survived on 7 when Cross dropped a tough chance standing up to the stumps. Banton found support from Jacob Bethell, who made 32 off 28 balls. The pair added 66 runs off 45 balls. After Bethell departed and Harry Brook fell attempting a scoop, England were 86 for 4 in 10.4 overs. Banton brought up a 33-ball half-century, his first after three single-digit scores, and added 46 runs with Sam Curran, who scored 28 off 20. Will Jacks sealed the chase with a six and a four off Brad Wheal as England reached the target in 18.2 overs. England moved to second place in the group with four points and will now face Italy on Monday to confirm their place in the Super Eights.
