SCOTLAND's hopes of reaching the Super Ten phase of the T20 World Cup were dashed yesterday when they slumped to defeat against Zimbabwe.

Preston Mommsen's side could be content to restrict their rivals to 147-7 in Nagpur but a horror batting collapse saw them staring at disaster on 20-4.

They rallied bravely through the efforts of Richie Berrington, Mommsen and Josh Davey but still fell 11 runs short.

Needing a solid start as they sought a first-ever win at a global event, Scotland's innings looked in tatters after they lost a wicket in each of the first four overs.

George Munsey set the tone for a kamikaze approach by striking two boundaries off Wellington Masakadza only to dance down the track and find himself stumped.

Matthew Cross then went for a first-ball duck, edging behind, before Matt Machan took a leaf out of Munsey's book by hitting back-to-back fours before holing out to gift Masakadza his second wicket.

Kyle Coetzer could count himself unlucky to fall to a brilliant diving catch by former Ayr professional Sikander Raza but, at 20-4, Scotland were in disarray.

Berrington and Michael Leask pushed the total along to 42 before the latter gave Sean Williams the charge and was easily stumped.

Mommsen helped Berrington give the Scots a glimmer of hope, the pair adding 51 for the sixth wicket.

However, having made 31 from 27 balls, Mommsen became Masakadza's third victim when he drove to the fielder at extra cover, the bowler quickly adding a fourth by enticing Safyaan Sharif out of his crease for another stumping.

Berrington top-scored with 36 but was unable to convert his innings to one of match-winning proportions while Davey hit two maximums and a boundary in his 13-ball 24 before his dismissal in the penultimate over ended Scottish hopes of completing an unlikely recovery.

Mommsen admitted: “It was a difficult start for us with the bat and they bowled well up front.

“We got ourselves back into a position where we could have a crack at it but unfortunately we've come up short again.

“Had my partnership with Richie gone on for another two or three overs, it could have been a different result.”

The Scots enjoyed a fine start after Zimbabwe had won the toss and elected to bat on a slow pitch.

They made the breakthrough in bizarre fashion and almost accounted for both openers in one fell swoop.

Skipper Hamilton Masakadza set off for a quick single only to collide in mid-pitch with Visu Sibanda.

Coetzer's throw had Masakadza run out but there were fears of a knock-out as Sibanda collapsed to the turf.

He was able to continue after lengthy treatment but was out soon after when he hoisted an Ali Evans delivery straight to Machan at deep square leg.

The Scots were on top as Zimbabwe limped to 30-2 after six overs – their lowest power-play score against an Associate nation.

Mommsen's men enjoyed further success when Leask held onto a spectacular catch at the second time to give Mark Watt a wicket and remove the dangerous Richmond Mutumbami who had hit one straight six in his 19.

Evans then accounted for Raza with a delivery which clipped the off-stump.

Having reduced their rivals to 67-4, Scotland held the initiative but they loosened their grip as the experienced Williams launched a damaging counter-attack.

Williams added 38 in four overs with former Ferguslie player Malcolm Waller who made just 13 before becoming Watt's second victim.

But Williams went on to reach a brilliant half-century from just 31 deliveries with six boundaries.

He was out soon after, miscuing a Sharif delivery to Evans at square leg as some tight death bowling restricted the total to 147-7.

The Scots have one further chance to claim an elusive World Cup win when they face Hong Kong in their final group match tomorrow (Sat).