T20 WORLD CUP | Banton’s heroics help England negotiate pitfalls against Scotland

England defeats Scotland by five wickets in T20 World Cup, with Tom Banton's impressive 63 leading the charge.

Tom Banton clinically carried out a finisher’s job with an unbeaten 41-ball 63 (4x4, 3x6) as England overcame some tight situations to beat Scotland by five wickets in a Group-C match and stay on track for a Super Eight berth in the T20 World Cup.

Electing to field, England bundled out Scotland for 152 before achieving the target with 10 balls to spare at the Eden Gardens here on Saturday.

In a contest between the ‘auld enemies,’ England tottered early after losing Phil Salt and Jos Buttler.

England's Tom Banton and Jacob Bethell take a run during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 cricket match against Scotland, at the Eden Gardens, in Kolkata, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. | Photo Credit: K.R. DEEPAK

Banton and Jacob Bethell (32, 28b, 2x4, 1x6) then absorbed the pressure and steadied the boat with a 66-run stand.

When Banton hammered Mark Watt for three sixes in the ninth over, one thought England would cruise from here.