Scotland play New Zealand in the first T20 international on Wednesday, July 27 at The Grange Club in Edinburgh from 7:00 PM IST (Indian Standard Time).
Scotland last played Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2021. The Scotts lost the game by 72 runs to the Men in Green. The hosts lost all five matches in the Super 12 stage of the tournament. Scotland beat Nepal by eight wickets in their last international game.
The New Zealand cricket team beat Ireland 3-0 in their previous T20I series. Glenn Phillips scored 148 runs in the series including two-half centuries. Phillips was also awarded the Player of the series for his batting performance. Ish Sodhi picked six wickets in the series for the Kiwis.
Scotland vs New Zealand 1st T20I odds
Bet365 odds: Scotland: 6.50, New Zealand: 1.11
10CRIC odds: Scotland: 6.24, New Zealand: 1.11
Betway odds:Scotland: 6.00, New Zealand: 1.11
Parimatch: Scotland: 6.20, New Zealand: 1.12
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
New Zealand have beaten Scotland in both their head-to-head encounters in T20Is so far.
New Zealand and Scotland last faced each other in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the UAE. The Kiwis ended up beating Scotland by 16 runs. Martin Guptill was the top scorer for the visitors with a 56-ball 93.
Scotland vs New Zealand 1st T20I probable playing XI
Scotland: Matthew Cross (wicket-keeper), Richie Berrington (captain), Calum MacLeod, Kyle Coetzer, George Munsey, Chris Greaves, Mark Watt, Alasdair Evans, Hamza Tahir, Adrian Neill, Chris McBride.
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Fin Allen (wicket-keeper), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner (captain), Jimmy Neesham, Blair Tickner, Jacob Duffy, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson.
Scotland vs New Zealand 1st T20I top picks
Scotland: Hamza Tahir will be the top pick from the Scottish side. Tahir has picked 21 wickets in 13 matches at an economy of 8.05. The 26-year-old has picked seven wickets in his last two games for the Scotland cricket team.
New Zealand: Glenn Phillips will be the player to watch for from the visiting side. The wicket-keeper batter has scored 793 runs in 38 matches at an average of 30.5 in T20Is. The 25-year-old has scored four half-centuries and one century in the shortest format.
Scotland vs New Zealand 1st T20I prediction
New Zealand are clear favourites to win the game against Scotland The visitors are a much stronger team than the Scotts.
Scotland have been doing well in recent times but they lack the firepower needed to upstage a strong opponent like New Zealand in T20Is.
Scotland vs New Zealand 1st T20I playing conditions and weather report
Maximum Temperature: 19°C
Precipitation: 10%
Humidity: 64%
Wind: 6 km/h