T20 World Cup 2026: Scotland spoils Italy’s debut with 73-run win
T20 World Cup debutant Italy had a bruising introduction to cricket’s biggest stage as it suffered a crushing 73-run loss to Scotland on Monday in Kolkata.
Scotland posted a hefty 207 for four, with opener George Munsey scoring with 84, and in reply, Italy was bowled out for 134 in 16.4 overs.
A nation better known for its football, Italy is current a cricket minnow and the lowest-ranked side in the 20-team tournament.
Chasing a mammoth 208 for victory, it suffered early blows before a valiant fourth-wicket partnership of 73 between brothers Ben and Harry Manenti kept Italy afloat at Eden Gardens.
But Harry departed for 37 and Ben got out after his 31-ball 52 as the Italian batting collapsed from 113 for three.
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Captain Wayne Madsen could not bat after he badly injured his shoulder while fielding.
Off-spinner Michael Leask took four for 17 for Scotland, adding to his batting cameo of an unbeaten 22 off five balls.
Scotland captain Richie Berrington said it was vital for it to bounce back after losing its opening match of the tournament.
“Really pleased to get our first win. In the end it was a comprehensive win, but we had to work hard for it,” he said. “We knew they had good players in the line-up. Early wickets were key and it put us on the front foot.”
Italy won the toss and bowled in the Group C encounter, where there were a few Italian fans decked out in the country’s blue.
Scotland rode on a 126-run opening stand between Munsey and Michael Jones, who hit 37, to post the highest total in the tournament so far.
Brandon McMullen with an unbeaten 18-ball 41 and Leask, who hit two fours and two sixes in the last five balls, took Scotland to its best T20 World Cup total.
The left-handed Munsey started briskly with a flurry of fours to unsettle the Italy attack in the first six overs of the powerplay.
Italy suffered a blow when Madsen fell awkwardly while trying to stop a boundary in the fourth over and went off the field wincing in pain with what looked like a dislocated shoulder.
The captain still completed an unusual World Cup double on Monday — playing in two different sports for two separate countries.
He played at the field hockey World Cup for his native South Africa, but holds an Italian passport now through his ancestry.
Munsey, who was dropped on 40 by Anthony Mosca, reached his fifty in 30 balls with a six. He missed out on a hundred after he holed out to long-on off pace bowler Grant Stewart.
He hit 13 fours and two sixes in his 54-ball knock to lead Scotland to its first group win, after it lost its first match to the West Indies.
Published on Feb 09, 2026
