Scotland T20I Tri-Series 2025 1st Match Results

updated：Scotland beat Netherlands by 39 runs.

Scotland kicked off their T20 tri-series campaign with a solid win, thanks to a gutsy 57-run partnership between Finlay McCreath (on debut!) and Matthew Cross. Things looked dicey early on when they slipped to 76 for 5, but McCreath’s confident 40 off 28 and Cross’s 33 helped drag the innings back on track. George Munsey got the fireworks started with a quick 30, even as Aryan Dutt and Zach Lion-Cachet threatened to ruin the party with some sharp bowling.

At the halfway stage, we’re 69-4.

Finlay McCreath and Michael Leask are together in the middle 👊

📺 Watch on https://t.co/Sqv51GUuhn! pic.twitter.com/pfzDC1Du9S

— Cricket Scotland (@CricketScotland) June 15, 2025

Chasing 161, the Netherlands just couldn’t find their rhythm. Michael Levitt tried to hold things together with a steady 36, but wickets tumbled all around him like dominos. At one point, they were 93 for 9 and staring at a sub-100 finish, but a fighting tenth-wicket stand between Dutt and Paul van Meekeren (who smashed 20 off just 11) gave the scoreboard some late respectability. Still, Scotland’s bowlers, especially Sharif, Watt, and Jarvis, made sure the job was done, sealing a 39-run win.

𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗧𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗪𝗜𝗡!!!

We bowl the Netherlands out for 121 to win by 39 runs 🤩#FollowScotland pic.twitter.com/xTu8BVtQ2G

— Cricket Scotland (@CricketScotland) June 15, 2025

SCO vs NED 2025 1st T20I – The Maiden Encounter at an Unfamiliar Ground

Scotland and the Netherlands have faced each other 15 times over the past 17 years, with Scotland edging ahead with 8 wins to the Netherlands’ 7, indicating a closely matched rivalry. However, the upcoming 1st T20I in 2025 introduces an element of uncertainty: both teams have never played at Forthill Cricket Ground before. This unfamiliarity with the venue adds an unpredictable factor to the contest.

SCO vs NED – Scotland’s Recent Form

Scotland has yet to play a T20I in 2025. Looking back at 2024, their performance was fairly balanced. They struggled against stronger teams like Australia, losing all their encounters. However, they dominated against lower-ranked teams, securing victories against Oman, Namibia, and the UAE, with only one loss to the UAE. Among the standout performers was all-rounder Brandon McMullen. He impressed with his bowling under pressure, dismissing Australia’s Jake Fraser-McGurk. With the bat, he contributed a significant 96 runs against the UAE. Pairing him with George Munsey could provide Scotland with a solid opening partnership, setting a strong foundation for the innings.

SCO vs NED – Netherlands’ Recent Form

Similar to Scotland, the Netherlands hasn’t played a T20I in 2025 yet. In 2024, their performance mirrored Scotland’s: unable to defeat higher-ranked teams but securing wins against lower-ranked sides. Logan van Beek was a notable contributor, taking 3 wickets for 13 runs against Namibia, playing a pivotal role in their victory. Batsman Max O’Dowd also shone, boasting a strike rate of 143.4. However, it’s worth noting that these performances were against comparatively weaker teams, so their impact might be limited when facing stronger opponents.

SCO vs NED – Underdog Zimbabwe vs Two World-Class Teams

As of now, neither team has any injury concerns for the upcoming match. Scotland’s Chris Sole, who had a brief absence, made a successful return on May 18, 2024, and is in excellent form. On the other hand, the Netherlands faces uncertainties with two key players: Fred Klaassen and Daniel Doram. Both are recovering from injuries, and their availability for the match remains unclear. Klaassen, a leading fast bowler, is particularly crucial for the Netherlands’ bowling attack. His absence could significantly affect their bowling strategy.

SCO vs NED – Pre-Match Prediction

While the head-to-head record between Scotland and the Netherlands is closely contested, Scotland enjoys a slight home advantage. The uncertainty surrounding the Netherlands’ squad, especially with key players’ fitness in question, adds to this advantage. In conclusion, Scotland holds a marginal edge, but it’s expected to be a closely fought contest. The match could be decided by key performances and adaptability to the unfamiliar conditions at Forthill Cricket Ground.

You can also click here to view the full T20I schedules

SCO vs NED 2025 1st T20I Key Players to Watch

Scotland’s Key Players to Watch

• George Munsey – In 2024, Munsey scored 214 runs in 7 T20I innings at a strike rate of 144.97, including 72 (44) vs Netherlands. His explosiveness in the powerplay is crucial, especially in a damp ground like Forthill where clearing the infield early can decide the tone.
• Brandon McMullen – Across 6 T20Is in 2024, McMullen averaged 37.00 with the bat and took 5 wickets. His 96 vs UAE shows he can anchor innings, while his medium pace benefits from swing-friendly Forthill conditions, offering dual impact.
• Chris Sole – Sole claimed 9 wickets in 6 T20Is in 2024 at an average of 16.22 and an economy of just 6.30. As a powerplay enforcer, his pace and ability to extract movement will be vital in Forthill’s moist conditions.
• Mark Watt – Watt’s left-arm spin brought him 8 wickets in 2024 at 6.75 RPO. While spinners struggle in Forthill, his disciplined line and subtle variations still offer wicket-taking potential, especially against right-handed middle orders.

Netherlands’s Key Players to Watch

• Max O’Dowd – With 188 runs from 7 T20Is in 2024 at a strike rate of 143.40, O’Dowd is the Netherlands’ most dependable top-order batter. His attacking style can neutralize early swing, and he’s scored consistently against mid-tier teams like Scotland and Namibia.
• Logan van Beek – In 2024, van Beek took 10 wickets in 8 matches with an economy under 7. His ability to extract movement with the new ball is valuable at Forthill, especially given the moist, swing-friendly conditions.
• Bas de Leede – A versatile all-rounder, de Leede had a 2024 T20I batting average of 28.40 and took 6 wickets at an average of 20.33. His batting adds middle-order stability, and his smart change-ups in bowling are effective on slower pitches like Forthill.
• Shariz Ahmad – Ahmad picked up 7 wickets in 6 T20Is in 2024 with a strike rate of 15.2. Although Forthill isn’t ideal for spinners, his wrist-spin and ability to bowl in middle overs give the Netherlands a variation option when pace isn’t enough.

SCO vs NED 2025 1st T20I – Possible Squad List

SCO vs NED 2025 1st T20I – Preview & Match Details:

Match Name: Scotland T20I Tri-Series

Match Date: 15th Jun 2025

Match Time: 06:30 PM IST

Competing Teams: Scotland vs Netherlands 1st T20I (SCO vs NED)

Venue: Forthill Cricket Ground, Dundee

Note：The match has not started yet, but updates will be provided regularly once it begins.

SCO vs NED 2025 1st T20I – Venue History&Analysis: Forthill Cricket Ground

Stadium Capacity: Open-air

Stadium Address: Broughty Ferry, Dundee, Angus, Scotland

Stadium History:

Forthill Cricket Ground is located in Dundee, Scotland, and has a history of over a century. However, since football is more popular locally, cricket has never gained much development or enthusiasm. As a result, the ground only recently qualified to host its first T20I and ODI matches, in 2019 and 2024 respectively. Test matches have yet to be held here because Scotland is not currently a full member nation.

Additionally, due to the local climate, international matches have become less frequent in this region. The venue mainly hosts domestic top-tier competitions such as the Scottish Cricket League and the Scottish Cup.

Stadium Features:

Forthill Cricket Ground is a fairly balanced pitch between batting and bowling. The area experiences a wet and cool climate year-round, leading to very high humidity. This affects bowlers of all types—both fast and spin—although fast bowlers can exploit swing to enhance the effectiveness of their deliveries. However, this requires much greater control and skill.

For batsmen, technically skilled players tend to struggle more due to the slippery outfield, while power hitters are less affected. The ground’s proximity to the coast, just a few kilometers away, also means that wind speed can be a factor; depending on wind direction, the ball may travel further or shorter distances.

Advantage Analysis:

Neither Scotland nor the Netherlands has previously played matches at Forthill, so there is no historical data for reference. However, past head-to-head records show Scotland with 8 wins and the Netherlands with 7, indicating relatively balanced strength. Regarding the venue characteristics, the main fast bowlers from both teams, such as Mark Watt and Paul van Meekeren, have comparable swing bowling skills and consistency.

Power hitters from both sides also have similar abilities; in their last five matches, the average scores of power hitters from both teams ranged between 28 to 30 runs. The only real potential advantage might be Scotland’s home team status. Otherwise, with nearly equal overall strength and team compositions, it is difficult to determine a clear advantage for either side.

All Scotland T20I Tri-Series Match:

• NED vs NEP 2025 2nd T20I Match – Familiar rivals, unfamiliar turf! With the coastal winds swirling at Forthill, what twists will this venue bring?
• SCO vs NEP 2025 3rd T20I Match – A match of complete dominance, does Nepal still have a chance?
• SCO vs NED 2025 4th T20I Match – Prediction for Scotland vs Netherlands is One Win Each
• NEP vs NED 2025 5th T20I Match – Can Nepal’s young guns light up the batting line-up with some fiery performance?
• SCO vs NEP 2025 6th T20I Match – A Series Where Nepal Might End Up Chasing More Than Celebrating