Richie Berrington smashed 70 off 49 balls to set up Scotland’s 17-run T20 World Cup win over Papua New Guinea on Tuesday.

Scotland, who shocked Bangladesh in their tournament opener this past Sunday, are now on the verge of making the Super 12 stage.

The Scots rode on a crucial 92-run third-wicket stand between Berrington and Matthew Cross, who hit 45, to post 165-9 after electing to bat first in the first-stage match.

Fast bowler Josh Davey returned career-best figures of 4-18 to help bowl out PNG for 148 in 19.3 overs despite a valiant 37-ball 47 from Norman Vanua.

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Berrington – who emigrated from SA with his family as a child – stood out with his attacking batting to lift Scotland from 26-2 and a stunning one-handed catch off Davey to get rid of Simon Atai. He was named man of the match.

Berrington hit three sixes, including one which was measured at 97 metres – the longest in the tournament so far – and six fours in his 49-ball knock.

He raised his sixth T20I half-century with a boundary straight down the ground after he lost wicketkeeper-batter Cross, playing his 50th T20I.

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PNG took six wickets in the last two overs, including Berrington’s key scalp, and gave away just 15 runs but Scotland posted their highest total in the T20 World Cup, surpassing their previous best of 156 against Afghanistan in 2016.

Left-arm quick Kabua Morea took four wickets including three in the last over, while fellow seam bowler Chad Soper claimed three.

Bangladesh must now defeat hosts Oman in another Group B fixture later Tuesday to avoid being eliminated.

© Agence France-Presse