The group stage is coming to an end and this is Pakistan’s last match in the group to do whatever they want to. Be it an experiment, or keeping the same XI fresh – all before the big game in the Semi-Final against Australia. Here is the match preview between PAK vs SCO, as the Men in Green looks to finish at high.

There is nothing much to be said about Babar Azam’s men, as they have almost got everything right. Hasan Ali and Mohammad Hafeez were in the spotlight for their quiet performances, but they came out high in the Namibia game. Whether they will change the combination or not, Pakistan will target the top spot of the group.  

For Scotland, everything went wrong from their very first Super 12s match. They were completely destroyed by Afghanistan in a 130 runs defeat before being stunned by newbies Namibia. It went downhill after a successful Round 1 journey. 

Kyle Coetzer’s men will want to finish the group game with an unlikely victory. After Namibia’s loss, they gave New Zealand a tough time and had some points. Unfortunately, nothing went in their way, and lose out closely by 16 runs. The Scottish team will be looking to finish with their first win over big boys in the T20Is. 

PAK vs SCO: What are we expecting?

It won’t be a surprise if PAK sticks to their winning combination for this match as well. Perhaps the teams want all of their players to play out whatever the faults they are having. Such an example was Hafeez and Hasan, who both came out blazing with both bat and bowl respectively. 

For them, this is their last game where they will do anything out of the box. After this game, they will be facing Australia in the Semi-final 2. Babar and his team will need to be prepared for everything by then. So whatever the remaining issues they have got, they got to cover in this game. 

For Scotland, a game to end on high for them. They won’t like to go home winless in the main round. Suffering heavy defeats in the hands of Afghanistan and India already hurt them while coming close to Namibia and New Zealand. You never know Scotland can go firing big at the table-toppers and win the match.  

PAK vs SCO: Match Details

• Date: Nov 07, 2021
• Timing: 7:00 PM PKT
• Venue: Sharjah
• Weather: As it has been throughout the tournament, it is clear and it’s going to be hot. 

Conditions / Pitch Report: 

Sharjah was supposed to be low and slow, but in this tournament, it has been completely opposite. Few high-scoring games have been witnessed, including last night’s England v South Africa thriller. Expect another high scoring game. 

Head to Head:

Matches: 03 | Pakistan: 03 | Scotland: 00 | Tied: 00 | No-Result: 00

Form Guide:

Pakistan: W W W W W  (Completed matches, most recent first)

Scotland: L L L L W 

PAK vs SCO: Team News 

1. Pakistan

It seems that another unchanged XI will be played. 

Probable XI:

1. Babar Azam (C), 2. Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 3. Fakhar Zaman, 4. Mohammad Hafeez/ Haider Ali,  5. Shoaib Malik, 6. Asif Ali, 7. Shadab Khan, 8. Imad Wasim/ Mohammad Nawaz, 9. Hassan Ali/ Mohammad Wasim Jnr, 10. Haris Rauf, 11. Shaheen Afridi

2. Scotland

For the past two games, Scotland has played two games with the same squad. Given their batting issues, they may bring back Josh Davey in anyone of the bowlers if he is fit. 

Probable XI:

1. George Munsey, 2. Matthew Cross (wk), 3. Kyle Coetzer (C), 4. Richie Berrington, 5. Calum Macleod, 6. Michael Leask, 7. Chris Greaves, 8. Mark Watt, 9. Alasdair Evans, 10. Safyaan Sharif, 11. Bradley Wheal

PAK vs SCO: Players to Watch

1. Fakhar Zaman, Batter (PAK)

Barring that 60 against South Africa earlier this year, Fakhar has been under-par throughout. Even in this tournament, he hasn’t done much apart from that crucial 30 against Afghanistan. With two games remaining (possibly three if PAK goes to the final), Fakhar will have to get some form and step up for the team if the openers fail. 

2. Michael Leask, All Rounder (SCO)  

Of all the batters, Michael Leask has come out to be more threatening. He has the best strike rate and the best average for his side. Hasn’t done much with the ball, but he has proven to be a handy all-rounder. In SCOT’s last game, he will need to give everything he got to give them an unlikely victory. 

3. Haris Rauf, Bowler (PAK)

Trolled, memes made, and weren’t shown faith by many fans when Haris was picked in the squad. Two weeks later, he is the Green Team’s highest wicket-taker with seven scalps. Fans are highly supportive of him and wish for more success. He took his best figures against New Zealand in Sharjah and on the same venue, he’ll be on the hunt for more. 

4. Mark Watt, Bowler (SCO)

One of the economical bowlers of the tournament, Mark Watt’sleft-arm spin has done some damage to the batters. He has an economy of 5.5 and he was very economical with 3.2 against New Zealand. On Sharjah’s quick wicket, Watt will be asked to control the overs. 

Stats and Trivia:

• T20 World Cup Head-to-Head: Pakistan 1-0 Scotland
• These two teams have played three T20Is so far, with the last one coming back in the 2018 series.
• This will be their first T20 World Cup meeting in 14 years. They last met in the 2007 edition. 

Quotes:

“Everything has gone according to plan, we’re looking forward to the semi-finals and playing our cricket with the same intensity”

Babar Azam, Pakistan Captain

“We can’t be happy with just playing a few Super 12 games. We need to be brave and push that a little bit further, and we need support there”

Kyle Coetzer, Scotland Captain 

Also read: 

Rise of Babar: From Ball Boy to World Number One