Namibia vs Scotland – ICC Men's T20 World Cup Warm Up Match Preview

Date: February 4, 2026
Time: 07:30 GMT
Venue: BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground B, Bengaluru

Match Overview

The Namibia vs Scotland match in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up series promises to be a competitive encounter between two teams with contrasting strengths. Both teams have a history of performing well in limited-overs cricket, and this match will be crucial for fine-tuning their strategies ahead of the tournament.

Namibia, ranked 15th in the T20I rankings, has shown resilience in recent encounters, while Scotland, despite a loss in their first warm-up match against Afghanistan, remains a strong contender due to their experienced squad and explosive batting lineup.

Team Analysis

Namibia

• Current Form: Namibia has shown consistent performances in T20Is, with a balanced squad capable of competing against higher-ranked teams.
• Key Players to Watch:
  • Gerhard Erasmus: The opener and captain, known for his aggressive strokeplay and leadership.
  • Bernard Scholtz: A wicket-taking all-rounder who can swing the game with his medium-paced bowling.
  • JJ Smit: A power-hitter in the middle order, expected to deliver in the death overs.
• Strengths: Strong middle-order batting, decent spin options, and a disciplined bowling attack.

Scotland

• Current Form: Scotland lost their first warm-up match against Afghanistan, but their batting firepower and all-round strength should not be underestimated.
• Key Players to Watch:
  • George Munsey: A match-winner with the bat, capable of accelerating the innings.
  • Richie Berrington: A steady opener who can anchor the innings.
  • Mark Watt: A reliable seamer with the ability to pick crucial wickets.
• Strengths: Explosive top-order batting, experienced spinners, and a solid lower middle-order.

Pitch and Conditions

The pitch at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground B, Bengaluru, is expected to be a batting-friendly surface, with a good carry and minimal assistance for spinners. The pacers may find some movement early on, but the key to success will lie in the death-over specialists, who can exploit the conditions and turn the match in their favor.

Match Predictions

• Toss Prediction: Namibia
• Winning Team: Scotland
• Top Batter: George Munsey (Scotland), Gerhard Erasmus (Namibia)
• Top Bowler: Bradley Currie (Scotland), Bernard Scholtz (Namibia)
• Most Sixes: George Munsey (Scotland), JJ Smit (Namibia)
• Player of the Match: George Munsey (Scotland)
• Team Scores (Batting First): Scotland 165+, Namibia 155+
• Match Handicap: Scotland

Fantasy Tips

• Captaincy Picks:

  • Safe: George Munsey (Scotland), Gerhard Erasmus (Namibia)
  • Risky: Brandon McMullen (Scotland), Louren Steenkamp (Namibia)

• Bench Picks:

  • Scotland: Oliver Davidson, Zainullah Ihsan
  • Namibia: Dylan Leicher, WP Myburgh

• Death-Overs Specialists: Bradley Currie (Scotland), Bernard Scholtz (Namibia)

Live Streaming and Coverage

• Live Streaming: JioHotstar
• Live Scores and Updates: Cricbuzz, ESPNcricinfo, Possible11

Conclusion

This match is a crucial warm-up for both teams ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. While Namibia has the edge in terms of form and consistency, Scotland's explosive batting and experience could tip the scales in their favor. With the toss predicted in favor of Namibia, the battle between the openers and the death-over specialists will be the highlight of the match.

Final Verdict: Scotland to win, backed by George Munsey’s all-round impact.
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