Last Updated on 1 year ago by Charbel Coorey

T20 WC 2021 Match 5: SCO vs PNG Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | SCO vs PNG Dream11 Prediction Today | Scotland vs Papua New Guinea Key Players | Al Amerat Pitch Report

What a night it was for Scotland two nights ago. Courtesy of their brilliant victory against Bangladesh, Kyle Coetzer’s team, after a magnificent all-round performance by Chris Greaves, can take a huge step towards the Super 12s stage with victory over Papua New Guinea.

And they are expected to do so. However, this is a vital game for another reason. They will be seeking an improvement with the bat after falling to 53/6 against Bangladesh. With such experience in their top and middle order, the best way for Scotland to make a mark in this tournament is for their batting lineup to lead the way with their capable, balanced bowling attack to follow suit.

For PNG, the positives were there in their ICC global tournament debut against Oman. The partnership between Charles Amini and skipper Assad Vala was heartening, but everything outside of that stand is room for significant improvement. Indeed, this is to be expected from a team finding its feet at this level, so today is a great opportunity to continue building.

Can PNG’s bowlers and fielders, who struggled so badly against Oman, make inroads into Scotland’s experienced lineup? Also, importantly, can Tony Ura lead the way at the top with the rest following in a strong batting display across all three stages of the innings? Answering these questions, along with others, is key to PNG’s continual development.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Scotland:

• Richie Berrington has scored the most runs in Scotland-PNG matches, with 176 in four matches at an average of 88.00 and strike rate of 126.62. This includes 41* off 28 balls 11 days ago.
• George Munsey was player of the match against PNG in their T20I on October 8. He smashed a 33-ball 50.
• Munsey comfortably has the highest strike (152.52) among Scottish players with at least 150 T20I runs. The next highest is 127.98.
• Kyle Coetzer is enduring a very lean run of form. The skipper has struck scores of 5, 14, 1, 10, 17, 0 in his last six white-ball matches. However, he did score 81 in an ODI vs PNG at the start of October, so he will be looking to produce something similar at the top today.
• What a performance it was by Chris Greaves against Bangladesh. His 46 (28) and 2/19 was an all-round display to savour. He took 1/17 in four overs on T20I debut vs PNG on October 1.
• Brad Wheal was in excellent rhythm against Bangladesh. The pacer took 3/24, and he will be looking to build on that today.
• Mark Watt is in terrific form. The left-arm spinner has taken nine wickets in his last four matches (2/11, 4/10, 2/34, 1/19). He was outstanding in the middle overs against Bangladesh, and he will be key in building pressure vs PNG.

Papua New Guinea:

• Assad Vala is coming off a fine half-century in PNG’s global tournament debut on Sunday. He also scored a half-century 11 days ago against Scotland (55 off 43 balls), in addition to 51 vs Sri Lanka in the warm up. The skipper will be aiming for more of the same.
• Charles Amini also looked in good touch vs Oman. He and Vala put on an 81-run stand. He was looking good for more than his 37 off 26 balls as he got run out in disappointing fashion.
• Amini will be looking to improve his record against Scotland. He has 44 runs in four matches against them at an average of just 11. He does have four wickets with the ball, though.
• Can Tony Ura make an impact here? The opener has been a rock for PNG cricket over the years. He has the most runs in T20I cricket for PNG (754, avg. 35.90, SR 140.14). Like Amini, however, Ura will be seeking to improve his record vs Scotland (4 inns, 62 runs, avg. 15.50, SR 83.78).
• Sese Bau could impact this game with his all-round abilities. He scored a strong 38* off 26 balls 11 days ago vs Scotland and can contribute with a few overs as well.
• Norman Vanua has taken three wickets in two matches vs Scotland at an average of 13.00. He also has the most wickets for PNG in T20Is (25 inns, 35 wickets, avg. 14.42, SR 14). He didn’t bowl at all vs Oman, so it will be interesting to see how he is used today.
• Plus, his 47 runs vs Scotland come at a strike rate of 188 (one dismissal).

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 4, Scotland 4, Papua New Guinea 0.
• A big win for Scotland today will almost certainly seal their passage through to the Super 12s.
• Safyaan Sherif is wicketless in his last four T20Is. However, he was excellent at the death vs Bangladesh, and he has the potential to take wickets at this stage today.

Possible Playing 11

Scotland should look to stick with the same team that beat Bangladesh.

Scotland: 1. George Munsey, 2. Kyle Coetzer (c), 3. Matthew Cross (wk), 4. Richie Berrington, 5. Calum MacLeod, 6. Michael Leask, 7. Chris Greaves, 8. Mark Watt, 9. Josh Davey, 10. Safyaan Sharif, 11. Brad Wheal

PNG would also be well served giving the same XI a chance to improve in this match.

Papua New Guinea: 1. Tony Ura, 2. Lega Siaka, 3. Assad Vala (c), 4. Charles Amini, 5. Sese Bau, 6. Norman Vanua, 7. Simon Atai , 8. Kiplin Doriga (wk), 9. Damien Ravu, 10. Kabua Morea, 11. Nosaina Pokana

Al Amerat Pitch Report and Weather

It was an easy-paced surface on day one of the T20 World Cup on Sunday. Runs were on offer for batsmen willing to play the percentages. Expect more of the same today.

The forecast is for warm and clear weather.

Dream11 Prediction

Note: Teams below are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these teams in time after the final playing XIs have been announced.

Option 1:

Option 2:

Fan2Play Prediction

Base team:

• Wicket-keepers: Matthew Cross
• Batsmen: George Munsey, Tony Ura
• All-rounders: Richie Berrington, Charles Amini, Assad Vala
• Bowlers: Brad Wheal, Chris Greaves

Also read: Fan2Play vs Dream11 – What’s the difference?

Match Prediction

Scotland to win.