MATCH CENTRE

Scotland and PNG have had contrasting starts to their ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021 campaigns. While Kyle Coetzer's men caused a stir by defending a modest total against Bangladesh for only their second win in World Cups, tournament debutants PNG were overwhelmed by Oman on the opening day.

Scotland declared themselves "humbled" and "excited" at the position they find themselves in, and insisted they weren't thinking too far ahead about potentially topping the table. But whether they say it aloud or not, their second game on Tuesday offers a good chance to put themselves in the best position to finish in the top two of the group and make it to the Super 12 stage.

For PNG, meanwhile, another loss would signal a premature end to their campaign. With a knack of playing their best with their backs against the wall though, they would be the first to back themselves to turn things around.

Scotland have played PNG in two T20Is and won both times. The first of those was in the 2019 Qualifier, while the most recent came earlier this month in the lead up to the World Cup. However, the teams are familiar with the threat the other poses, having played each other plenty through the years, including in ODIs in recent weeks.

Although both sides suffered batting collapses in their opening games, they boast considerable batting depth. They both showed how despite early setbacks, they were capable of attacking through the innings.

Against Bangladesh, Scotland struggled against pace early on, and that offers PNG the best chance to make a breakthrough. Those like George Munsey and Calum MacLeod are especially strong against spin. The PNG bowlers were short on discipline against Oman, and will do well to recalibrate quickly.

Fixture details

• Match: Scotland v Papua New Guinea
• Time: 14:00 local time on Tuesday 19 October
• Venue: Oman Cricket Academy Ground, Al Amerat

Scotlandhave no reason to tinker with a winning line-up. Their depth of batting worked well for them, as did their bowling variety. They have the option of bringing in Hamza Tahir, a left-arm spin option to work with Mark Watt, who's had some success against PNG previously.

Possible Scotland playing XI: Kyle Coetzer (c), George Munsey, Matthew Cross, Richie Berrington, Calum MacLeod, Michael Leask, Chris Greaves, Mark Watt, Josh Davey, Safyaan Sharif, Brad Wheal.

According to batter Lega Siaka, PNG's job is to pick themselves up: "Just do the little things right and the big things will take care of themselves." Captain Assad Vala's challenge will be to identify his best bowling line-up.

Vala will hope to shake off an ankle injury sustained while batting in the first match, while seamer Chad Soper is in a race against time to prove his fitness, and may make his way into the XI.

Possible PNG playing XI: Assad Vala (c), Tony Ura, Lega Siaka, Charles Amini, Sese Bau, Norman Vanua, Simon Atai, Kiplin Doringa, Damien Ravu, Kabua Morea, Nosaina Pokana

Mark Watt: The left-armer impressed with both bat and ball in Scotland's opener against Bangladesh. Coming in at 53/6, he first helped steady the innings before drying up the runs with his left-arm spin. His final over in the death was particularly important, as he went for just five runs in the 18th.

Norman Vanua: One of an array of all-rounders in the PNG side, Vanua adds important batting heft in the lower-middle order. He didn't get going in the first game, but remains an important cog in the side. He hasn't bowled in recent matches, because of a shoulder injury, but is expected to have recovered. If he bowls, his medium-pace will be handy.

Captaincy pick - Assad Vala

The PNG captain scored 56 runs in the tournament opener against Oman and has scores of 20 and 55 in two T20Is he’s been part of against Scotland previously. He also adds fantasy value with the ball, with an impressive bowling strike rate of 13.5 in 19 T20I innings. Assad Vala has to be the top choice for captaincy for this match.

Must-have - Mark Watt

The left-arm orthodox spinner's record in Oman makes him a must-have in this match. Watt has scalped eight wickets in four matches played in the country. He has been in great form in the last couple of years, having picked 28 wickets in 17 T20Is played since 2019.

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Scotland win

A win for Scotland would put them within touching distance of a spot in the Super 12. If Oman manage to beat Bangladesh later tonight after a Scotland win both teams would be locked in for the next round. A win for Bangladesh rather than Oman would leave all three teams in the mix for the next stage.

PNG win

A win for PNG would see all four teams remaining in contention for the Super 12 stage going into the final match of the group.

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What they said

Michael Leask (Scotland):"At the moment we're just trying to keep our feet on the ground, take every game as it comes. PNG are going to be quite a force in the next game. We've played against them quite a few times. We know exactly what they're going to come with. They post their own challenges. At the moment we're just trying to take it day by day, game by game ... Our guys are in a really good headspace."

Assad Vala PNG captain:"Some positives from the [Oman] game was just in the batting. I thought we showed some character, getting to a Powerplay at 40-odd after losing two wickets early on ... Next two games, we just want to go back, talk about and reflect what we need to do. We just need to focus on ourselves and not worry about Scotland and Bangladesh at the moment."