Scotland play New Zealand in the second T20 international on Friday, July 29 at the Grange Cricket Club Ground in Edinburgh from 7:00 PM IST (Indian Standard Time).
Scotland were dominated by the Blackcaps in the first match of the series as they faced a 68-run defeat. Mark Watt’s relatively economical spell and Chris Greaves’ 22-ball 31 were the only positives in an otherwise poor performance by the Scots. This is their first T20I series since the ICC T20 World Cup last year. They are expected to field the same playing XI in the second match.
New Zealand comfortably won the first match of this series. Finn Allen scored his maiden century in this format in the last match. Ish Sodhi’s four-fer restricted the Scottish batsman. They recently beat Ireland 3-0 in the T20I series and beat them with the same margin in the ODIs. The Kiwis are also expected to field the same playing XI in the second T20I.
Scotland vs New Zealand 2nd T20I odds
Parimatch odds: Scotland: 7.20, New Zealand: 1.09
10CRIC odds: Scotland: 7.35, New Zealand: 1.08
Betway odds: Scotland: 7.00, New Zealand: 1.08
Betwinner odds: Scotland: 8.30, New Zealand: 1.06
1xBet odds: Scotland: 6.25, New Zealand: 1.06
Note: Odds are subject to change. Please visit betting sites to check and confirm the latest odds.
Scotland vs New Zealand head-to-head in T20Is
The New Zealand cricket team have won all three matches played against Scotland in this format. Before the current series, the Kiwis beat the Scottish side by 16 runs in the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup and won by seven wickets in the 2009 edition of the same tournament.
This is the first bilateral T20I series between these two sides.
Scotland vs New Zealand 2nd T20I probable playing XI
Scotland: George Munsey, Calum MacLeod, Ollie Hairs, Richie Berrington (captain), Matthew Cross (wicket-keeper), Chris Greaves, Michael Leask, Mark Watt, Safyaan Sharif, Chris Sole, Hamza Tahir.
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Finn Allen, Dane Cleaver (wicket-keeper), Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (captain), Ish Sodhi, Ben Sears, Lockie Ferguson.
Scotland vs New Zealand 2nd T20I top picks
Scotland: Calum MacLeod is the top pick from the hosts in this encounter. The opening batter has scored 1190 runs at an average of 24.28 in 61 T20Is. He averages 27.25 with the bat in Scotland in this format. The 33-year-old scored 33 runs off 24 balls in the last match.
New Zealand: Watch out for the Blackcaps’ opening batter Martin Guptill in this match. The 35-year-old has scored 3399 runs at an average of 32.37 and a strike-rate of 136.39 and is currently the all-time leading run-scorer in this format at the international level. He has scored 133 runs in two innings against the Scottish side.
Scotland vs New Zealand 2nd T20I prediction
New Zealand will be the overwhelming favourites to win this match. The Kiwis have dominated the Scottish side on all three previous occasions and their current form will be too hot to handle for the hosts.
Scotland have struggled in this format off late and are unlikely to cause any trouble to this in-form New Zealand side.
Scotland vs New Zealand 2nd T20I playing conditions and weather report
Maximum Temperature: 21°C
Precipitation: 22%
Humidity: 94%
Wind: 13 km/h