WI West Indies
SCO Scotland
ICC T20 World Cup 2026
West Indies vs Scotland Match Prediction
Last updated: 6 February 2026
🏏 Prediction Summary
Our analysis indicates that West Indies are the favourites for this encounter. We predict a West Indies victory with a confidence level of 70%. For those seeking a higher-risk, higher-reward option, we suggest backing Scotland if the odds are above 7.50, given their historical head-to-head advantage and the potential for an upset.
As the cricketing world turns its attention to Eden Gardens on February 7, 2026, for the intriguing clash between West Indies and Scotland, our statistical deep dive reveals a fascinating narrative. While West Indies come into this fixture with a higher volume of matches played and a recent victory, Scotland carries the weight of a historical head-to-head advantage, having defeated the Caribbean side in their sole T20I encounter. This match promises to be a battle of contrasting forms and a test of resilience, set against the backdrop of a venue known for its balanced playing conditions.
West Indies Preview
The West Indies team, a formidable force in T20 cricket, has been actively involved in the format since January 2024, playing a significant 52 matches. Their record stands at 21 wins and 29 losses, translating to a win percentage of 40%. This indicates a team that experiences periods of both dominance and vulnerability. Recently, their form has shown flashes of brilliance interspersed with challenging results. They secured a victory against South Africa on 2026-01-31, which followed two consecutive losses to the same opposition on 2026-01-29 and 2026-01-27. Prior to that, they faced a loss against New Zealand on 2025-11-13 and a No Result against the same team on 2025-11-10. This recent triumph against South Africa could provide a much-needed boost in momentum as they approach this fixture.
Delving into their individual performances, the West Indies batting lineup boasts several powerful hitters. SD Hope leads the charge with an impressive 937 runs from 33 innings, striking at a robust rate of 142.62. His ability to score quickly and consistently makes him a pivotal figure at the top of the order. R Powell is another key contributor, having amassed 872 runs in 38 innings with a strike rate of 131.33, demonstrating his finishing prowess. BA King has also been impactful, scoring 681 runs in 29 innings at a strike rate of 135.66. RL Chase, with 639 runs in 31 innings at a strike rate of 119.89, offers a more measured approach but can accelerate when needed. R Shepherd, an all-rounder, has chipped in with 528 runs in 35 innings, maintaining a strike rate of 131.34, proving his capability with the bat.
With the ball, AJ Hosein stands out as their most effective bowler, claiming 47 wickets in 44 innings with an excellent economy rate of 7.47. His left-arm spin will be crucial in containing opposition batsmen. R Shepherd, in addition to his batting, has been a significant wicket-taker, with 42 wickets in 39 innings, though at a higher economy rate of 10.04. JO Holder contributes with 35 wickets in 28 innings at an economy of 9.4, bringing experience and variations. G Motie, with 32 wickets in 33 innings at an economy of 8.28, adds another spin option. AS Joseph, their pace spearhead, has taken 29 wickets in 24 innings, operating at an economy rate of 9.87. The collective strength of these bowlers provides the West Indies with diverse options to challenge any batting lineup.
Scotland Preview
Scotland, while having played fewer matches than their counterparts, has shown glimpses of their potential in the 20 T20Is they have contested since January 2024. Their record of 8 wins and 11 losses also results in a 40% win percentage, mirroring that of the West Indies, suggesting a competitive spirit despite facing varied opposition. Their recent form, however, has been somewhat inconsistent. They faced losses against Jersey on 2025-07-11 and Italy on 2025-07-09, indicating areas for improvement. These defeats followed a victory against Netherlands on 2025-07-08 and an earlier win against Nepal on 2025-06-20. They also experienced a loss against Netherlands on 2025-06-18. This mixed bag of results highlights the need for consistency against a higher-ranked opponent like West Indies.
In their batting department, HG Munsey has been the standout performer for Scotland, accumulating 626 runs in 19 innings at an impressive strike rate of 140.04. His aggressive style at the top of the order can set the tone for the innings. BJ McMullen has also made significant contributions, scoring 417 runs in 16 innings with a strike rate of 137.17, showcasing his ability to score freely. MH Cross, with 348 runs in 17 innings at a strike rate of 113.73, provides stability to the batting lineup. RD Berrington, their experienced campaigner, has scored 303 runs in 16 innings at a strike rate of 116.54. MA Leask, another all-rounder, has contributed 292 runs in 18 innings with a strike rate of 117.27, proving his utility with the bat in the lower middle order.
Scotland's bowling attack has been spearheaded by MRJ Watt, who has taken 20 wickets in 18 innings with an excellent economy rate of 7.25. His left-arm spin is a crucial asset for them. CN Greaves and BJ Currie have both picked up 16 wickets; Greaves in 14 innings at an economy of 7.78, and Currie in just 11 innings with a superb economy rate of 6.29. Currie's efficiency makes him a vital cog in their bowling strategy. SM Sharif has chipped in with 13 wickets in 12 innings, though at a higher economy of 8.25. MA Leask also contributes with the ball, having secured 13 wickets in 15 innings at a very respectable economy rate of 6.91. The Scottish bowlers, particularly Watt, Currie, and Leask, demonstrate a commendable ability to restrict runs, which could be a key factor in this contest.
Key Players to Watch
For West Indies, we will be closely watching the performances of:
- SD Hope: With 937 runs in 33 innings at a strike rate of 142.62, Hope is the lynchpin of the West Indies batting. His ability to anchor the innings while maintaining a high scoring rate will be vital in setting or chasing competitive totals.
- AJ Hosein: As the leading wicket-taker with 47 wickets in 44 innings and an economy rate of 7.47, Hosein's left-arm spin is crucial for West Indies. His knack for picking up wickets and stifling the scoring rate in the middle overs can dictate the flow of the match.
- R Shepherd: An exceptional all-rounder, Shepherd has contributed significantly with both bat and ball, scoring 528 runs in 35 innings at a strike rate of 131.34 and taking 42 wickets in 39 innings. His dual threat makes him a game-changer capable of impacting the match at various stages.
For Scotland, our attention will be on:
- HG Munsey: Munsey's aggressive batting, evidenced by 626 runs in 19 innings at a strike rate of 140.04, makes him Scotland's most dangerous opener. A strong start from him could lay the foundation for a challenging total.
- MRJ Watt: Watt's economy rate of 7.25 and 20 wickets in 18 innings highlight his importance to Scotland's bowling attack. His ability to bowl tight spells and pick up crucial wickets will be instrumental in containing the powerful West Indies batting lineup.
- BJ Currie: Despite limited data available, Currie's impressive economy rate of 6.29 from 16 wickets in just 11 innings suggests he is a highly efficient bowler. His ability to restrict runs, particularly in key phases, could prove invaluable for Scotland.
Head-to-Head Record
The head-to-head record between West Indies and Scotland in T20 Internationals provides a fascinating and unexpected twist to this fixture. Despite West Indies' stature in world cricket, the two teams have only met once in the T20I format. This solitary encounter took place on 2022-10-17 at Bellerive Oval, Hobart, where Scotland emerged victorious by a significant margin of 42 runs. This result serves as a stark reminder that in T20 cricket, any team can upset the established order, and Scotland has proven their capability to do so against the West Indies. While this single data point offers limited insight into a prolonged rivalry, it provides Scotland with a psychological edge and a blueprint for success against their more illustrious opponents. For West Indies, it represents an opportunity to level the score and assert their dominance, while for Scotland, it’s a chance to demonstrate that their previous victory was not an anomaly but a testament to their growing prowess in the shortest format of the game. The memory of that 42-run defeat will undoubtedly linger for the West Indies, adding an extra layer of motivation to this upcoming match.
Venue, Conditions & Toss
The match is scheduled to take place at the iconic Eden Gardens, a venue steeped in cricketing history and known for producing exciting T20 encounters. Our records indicate that 11 T20I matches have been played at this ground, offering a reasonable sample size for analysis of pitch behaviour and match trends. The average 1st innings score at Eden Gardens stands at 154, suggesting a pitch that generally offers good value for batsmen but also provides opportunities for bowlers who execute their plans well. The average 2nd innings score drops to 134, which could imply that the pitch might slow down slightly or become more challenging for batting as the match progresses, potentially due to wear and tear or the effect of dew, though specific dew data is limited.
A crucial statistic for Eden Gardens is the chase success rate, which stands at 55%. This indicates a slight preference for teams batting second, suggesting that chasing can be a viable strategy here. Further supporting this trend, the toss-winning captain has elected to field in 64% of the matches. This strong inclination to chase after winning the toss aligns with the chase success rate, highlighting the perceived advantage of knowing the target and pacing the innings accordingly. The highest score recorded at this venue is 201, demonstrating that big totals are achievable if batsmen get going. Conversely, the lowest score is 109, indicating that collapses are also possible if bowlers find their rhythm and conditions assist them. Given these statistics, we anticipate the toss will play a significant role, with the captain winning the toss likely opting to field first, aiming to exploit any potential advantage of chasing under the lights or in the second half of the game. The conditions are expected to be conducive for a competitive T20 match, where both batsmen and bowlers will have their moments to shine.
Match Analysis
- Recent Form and Momentum: West Indies enter this contest with a recent victory against South Africa on 2026-01-31, a significant confidence booster despite their overall 40% win rate from 52 matches. This win could provide them with the necessary momentum. Scotland, on the other hand, has a similar 40% win rate from 20 matches but has experienced two recent losses against Jersey and Italy, following two wins. The West Indies' more recent and higher-profile victory suggests a slight advantage in current form, which can be crucial in T20 cricket.
- Batting Firepower and Strike Rates: West Indies boast a stronger and more experienced batting lineup with SD Hope (937 runs, SR 142.62), R Powell (872 runs, SR 131.33), and BA King (681 runs, SR 135.66) consistently delivering high strike rates. While Scotland's HG Munsey (626 runs, SR 140.04) and BJ McMullen (417 runs, SR 137.17) are capable, the depth and volume of runs from the West Indies top order appear more substantial. The ability of West Indies batters to accelerate will be key on a pitch where the average 1st innings score is 154.
- Bowling Economy vs. Wicket-Taking Ability: Scotland's bowling attack features some impressive economy rates, notably BJ Currie (econ 6.29), MA Leask (econ 6.91), and MRJ Watt (econ 7.25). These figures are generally more restrictive than West Indies' top bowlers, where only AJ Hosein (econ 7.47) and G Motie (econ 8.28) have comparable or better economy rates among the primary wicket-takers. While West Indies' AJ Hosein (47w) and R Shepherd (42w) have taken more wickets, Scotland's ability to contain runs, especially in the middle overs, could be a critical factor in limiting West Indies' big-hitting capabilities.
- Historical Head-to-Head and Venue Dynamics: The sole head-to-head encounter saw Scotland defeat West Indies by 42 runs on 2022-10-17. This historical context provides Scotland with a psychological advantage and a belief that they can overcome their higher-ranked opponents. However, the match is at Eden Gardens, where the average 1st innings score is 154 and the chase success rate is 55%. This suggests a pitch that might favour chasing, which could play into the hands of either team depending on who wins the toss and how they adapt to the conditions on the day. The historical win, coupled with the venue's chasing preference, adds an intriguing layer to this contest.
Our Verdict
Considering all available data, our analysis points towards a West Indies victory in this encounter. While Scotland carries the psychological advantage of their sole head-to-head win and boasts some impressive bowling economy rates, the overall strength, depth, and recent form of the West Indies appear to give them an edge. Their batting lineup, featuring consistent high strike-rate performers like SD Hope and R Powell, combined with the wicket-taking prowess of AJ Hosein, provides a robust core. The West Indies have played a significantly higher volume of matches, which, despite a 40% win rate similar to Scotland's, suggests more exposure to competitive scenarios. We anticipate that West Indies' superior batting depth and a recent morale-boosting win will allow them to overcome the challenge posed by Scotland's disciplined bowling and historical advantage. However, we must acknowledge the unpredictability of T20 cricket and Scotland's proven ability to cause an upset, especially given their strong defensive bowling statistics.
Odds Analysis
The current live odds from 33 bookmakers reflect West Indies as strong favourites, with the best available odds at 1.14 and an average of 1.11. Scotland, conversely, is priced as significant underdogs with best odds of 7.6 and an average of 6.65. While the West Indies are indeed our predicted winners based on current form and squad depth, the odds of 1.14 offer very little value for a straight win bet, especially considering the historical head-to-head result where Scotland defeated them. In T20 cricket, upsets are not uncommon, and a 1.14 price might not adequately cover the inherent risks. For those looking for potential value, the odds on Scotland are considerably higher. Given Scotland's historical victory against West Indies and their competitive bowling economy rates, backing Scotland could be considered a calculated risk for an upset. We recommend backing Scotland if the odds are above 7.50, as this would represent significant value for a team capable of challenging the favourites, even if our primary prediction leans towards a West Indies win.
FAQ
Q: Who are the top batters for West Indies based on recent performance?
A: Based on recent performance since January 2024, SD Hope leads with 937 runs in 33 innings at a strike rate of 142.62, followed by R Powell with 872 runs in 38 innings at a strike rate of 131.33.
Q: What is Scotland's recent form leading into this match?
A: Scotland's recent results include a loss vs Jersey (2025-07-11), a loss vs Italy (2025-07-09), a win vs Netherlands (2025-07-08), a win vs Nepal (2025-06-20), and a loss vs Netherlands (2025-06-18).
Q: What is the head-to-head record between West Indies and Scotland in T20Is?
A: West Indies and Scotland have met once in T20Is. Scotland won that match by 42 runs on 2022-10-17 at Bellerive Oval, Hobart.
Q: What are the typical scoring conditions at Eden Gardens?
A: At Eden Gardens, the average 1st innings score in T20Is is 154, while the average 2nd innings score is 134. The chase success rate at this venue is 55%, with the toss-winning captain electing to field first in 64% of matches.
