England down Scotland by five wickets after Banton's fifty in T20 World Cup match

KOLKATTA (Dunya News) – England defeated Scotland by five wickets in their T20 World Cup group match after a controlled run chase at Eden Gardens, reaching the 153 run target in the 19th over.

The result also marked the first time England have beaten a European team in the history of the tournament.

In Match 23 of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, England successfully chased 153, finishing on 153 for 5 after earlier bowling Scotland out for 152 in 19.4 overs. The chase was anchored by Tom Banton, who remained unbeaten on 63, while Jacob Bethell and Sam Curran added important runs through the middle phase.

England cricket team lost early wickets in the pursuit. Phil Salt fell for 2, Jos Buttler for 3 and captain Harry Brook for 4, leaving the side under pressure inside the powerplay.

Banton then stabilised the innings with a measured and attacking knock, striking boundaries square of the wicket and down the ground. Bethell contributed 32 runs to rebuild the chase, rotating strike and punishing loose deliveries. Curran added 28 to keep the required rate in check as the target drew closer.

Banton stayed unbeaten on 63, while Will Jacks finished not out on 16 as England completed the chase with five wickets down in the 19th over.

Tom Banton's brilliance with the bat helped England gain a crucial victory over Scotland

He wins the @aramco POTM

: https://t.co/3vSBGUbVTo pic.twitter.com/xDimEO4P3U

— ICC (@ICC) February 14, 2026

Scotland’s wickets in the second innings were shared, with Brandon McMullen, Brad Currie, Brad Wheal, Michael Leask and Oliver Davidson claiming one each.

Scotland cricket team were earlier bowled out for 152 after choosing to bat first following the toss, which England won and used to field.

Michael Jones scored 33 at the top of the order, while captain Richie Berrington led the resistance with 49. A productive middle overs stand briefly lifted Scotland past the hundred mark, but regular wickets stalled progress in the closing overs.

Adil Rashid was the most effective with three wickets, while Jofra Archer and Liam Dawson took two each. Sam Curran and Jamie Overton picked up one wicket apiece as Scotland were dismissed in 19.4 overs.

The Kolkata fixture was Scotland’s third match at the venue in the group stage, while England arrived after earlier games in Mumbai. Group C standings had remained tight, with European teams level on points before this contest. England entered the contest fourth in Group C with a negative net run rate after a narrow win over Nepal and a 30 run defeat to West Indies. Scotland started stronger, sitting second with a healthy net run rate after beating Italy and pushing West Indies competitively.

This match was part of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup and marked the 15th T20 international at Eden Gardens, the most for any venue in India.

England named an unchanged XI before the match and chose to bowl first, citing a quick outfield and a good surface for chasing. Scotland also retained their previous combination, highlighting the importance of handling spin in the middle overs.

SQUADS

Scotland XI: George Munsey, Michael Jones, Brandon McMullen, Richie Berrington (c), Tom Bruce, Michael Leask, Matthew Cross (wk), Mark Watt, Oliver Davidson, Brad Currie, Brad Wheal.

England XI: Philip Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (c), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid.