Preston Mommsen is backing Scotland to keep alive his T20 World Cup dream by securing the two wins needed to reach next year’s finals.
Mommsen missed out on the qualifying tournament through injury and has been forced to watch from home as his team-mates flirted with disaster before hitting form.
The Scots lost three of their opening four Group B matches but have won three-in-a-row to stand on the brink of qualification.
They must beat Italy in Abu Dhabi today and either Holland or UAE tomorrow to secure their place at the global tournament in Bangladesh.
Mommsen, whose influence has been missed, said: “Having seen the way we’ve played in the last three games I am confident that we can get the two wins that will send us to Bangladesh.”
Mommsen is targeting a return to action in time for the 50-over World Cup qualifier in New Zealand in January.
The top order batsman, recovering from a stress fracture of the pelvis, added: “I am aiming to leave for New Zealand a month early to begin my full recovery programme.
“The only exercise I have been allowed so far is swimming and it has been a slow and frustrating process but I am on course.”
Meanwhile, coach Pete Steindl insists composure will be the key to Scotland’s hopes of completing their T20 campaign on a high.
The Scots hit a low following last week’s heavy defeat to Kenya but recovered with wins against Papua New Guinea, Holland and Denmark.
Steindl said: “We tweaked the balance of the side a bit and made some hard decisions. But the biggest difference was the composure the guys showed at key moments and that led to much better decision-making.
“We have to make sure we maintain that approach and get the job done.”