For the first time in the history of T20 World Cup 2026, the England cricket team managed to register victory over a European team. The two-time champions broke their grudge against a European team by defeating Scotland at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on February 14.
Tom Banton’s maiden T20 World Cup half-century confirmed the team’s victory against the rival Scotland cricket team. Banton remained unbeaten on 63 runs and brilliantly took the team to the finish line.
England finally win T20 World Cup match over European team
It was a must-win match for England as they had suffered a major blow in the second match of their campaign against the West Indies. Against the West Indies, the Three Lions fell short by 30 runs and helped the Caribbean win the clash. With two points, the Harry Brook-led team had to win against Scotland.
The victory over the Scottish team keeps the England cricket team’s dream of reaching the next round of the tournament alive. Only the top two teams from each group will be eligible to play in the next stage of the competition, where only 8 teams will play. At present, after playing three matches, England now has 4 points. In their opening match of the campaign, they managed to secure a narrow win against Nepal.
Banton brings us home! motiv
Kolkata won with 10 balls to spare. pic.twitter.com/yfFpsUm2fN
– England Cricket (@englandcricket) 14 February 2026
Ton Banton was the main hero of today’s match
In today’s (14 February) match, Banton appeared to be England’s hero, supported mostly by Jacob Bethell and Sam Curran. Banton was accompanied by Will Jacks during the final stages of the competition.
However, the proven opening pair of Phil Salt and Jos Buttler were out cheaply. England had lost two wickets for only 13 runs in the second innings. It was Banton who stabilized things for the team. However, despite the failure in batting, Butler completed a milestone.
Jos Buttler added 3 runs to the team’s total and completed 4,000 T20I runs on an individual basis. He is an English cricketer who holds the keeper-batsman record. Overall he is the fourth cricketer to do so.
England still need one more win to book their place in the eighth round
Scotland, batting first, scored 152 runs for 10 wickets in 19.4 overs, which was not a bad score to defend. Scotland captain Richie Berrington missed his T20 World Cup 2026 half-century by just 1 run as he was dismissed for 49 off 32. Opening batsman Michael Jones was the second highest scoring Scottish player in the match with 33 runs.
England will also secure their place in the next round by winning the next match, which is against Italy. England will face Italy on 16 February in Kolkata. On paper, it should be an easy point hole process for the English team.
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