Seamer Dewald Nel admits the odds are stacked against Scotland ahead of their World Twenty20 opener with New Zealand, but has backed them to cause an upset without him.

Nel was ruled out of the Scots campaign which begins on Saturday after suffering a broken finger but will remain with the squad throughout the tournament.

Combine his departure with fellow seamer John Blain's walk and out and Scotland's attack is threadbare with 20-year-old Calum MacLeod and Gordon Drummond set to lead the line.

But Nel, who turns 29 on June 6, believes Scotland will rally together and show courage in the face of adversity.

"I am disappointed to be missing such a big tournament but we just have to get on with things," said Nel. "The squad has been through a lot in the last few days and the odds are completely against us.

"But we are long overdue an upset against one of the big cricketing nations and maybe we can come up with something special when it is least expected.

"The players who have come in have done pretty well with the new ball and I am quietly optimistic about things."