In the early stages of their run-chase at the Eden Gardens, England were rocked with a familiarly haunting feeling of deja vu. For a team with a World Cup title, they had a dubious T20 World Cup record against European teams - 5 played, 0 won. Scotland reduced them to 13/2 in 2 overs, and showed inclination to maintain that blob. In the fifth over, Jacob Bethell pushed back violently. He hit a straight six and a couple of fours on either side of the wicket in a 16-run over off Brandon McMullen. Tom Banton offered the next jolt, hitting three sixes off left-arm spinner Mark Watt.

Englnd found a way out of this obscure chokehold but it still wasn't straightforward despite the 66-run stand between Bethell and Banton. Banton batted on till the very end for a 41-ball 63, adding alliances with Sam Curran and Will Jacks to break the curse that has followed England in T20 World Cups.

England had 82/3 in 10 overs chasing Scotland's 152, but had to start to build again as Bethell fell against the run of play, offering a catch to Brad Wheal at short fine off Oliver Davidson. England were again reminded of the tremors of the past when Harry Brook departed cheaply - he too found the short fine fielder, off Michael Leask. Curran walked out with England on thin ice though the asking rate wasn't too far beyond reach. He did what he usually does in such pressure situations, batting England out of trouble in the company of Banton.

From needing 44 off 36, the two batters turned the screws on Scotland as they picked up 10 runs off Leask and 13 off Watt. Wheal came back to remove Curran but at that point England needed just 21 off 24. Wheal bowled a tight over after the wicket to give away just five runs but Jacks and Banton saw the team through with 10 balls to spare.

Scotland could have had a lot more than 152 to defend. They were blunted early through a two-wicket Jofra Archer over and Curran bagged a third inside the PowerPlay, but the fourth-wicket partnership that followed - between Richie Berrington and Tom Bruce promised recovery. And they were swift about it. Before Adil Rashid could make headway, this batting pair took a particular liking for the leggie in his first spell - taking 26 off his two overs. Spin in the middle-overs just didn't work early on, as Liam Dawson was also taken apart. With that, Berrington and Bruce powered Scotland to 90/3.