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- Scotland vs Italy highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: Scotland crush Italy by 73 runs
Scotland vs Italy highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: Scotland crush Italy by 73 runs
T20 World Cup Schedule | Points Table
Batting first, Scotland posted an imposing target of 208 runs, courtesy of George Munsey (84), Brandon McMullen (41) and Michael Leask’s (22 not out) fiery knocks. In reply, Italy's chase never really got going, and they were bowled out for 134 in 16.4 overs.
Chasing 208, Italy got off to a disastrous start with Justin Mosca dismissed for a golden duck. His brother Anthony Mosca (13) and JJ Smuts (22 off 11) showed brief intent, with the latter striking at 200, but neither could convert their starts as wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals.
The resistance came through the Manenti brothers. Harry Manenti played a spirited knock of 37 off 25 balls, while Ben Manenti top-scored with 52 off 31, hitting five fours and a six to momentarily lift Italy’s hopes. However, the lack of support from the other end ensured the required rate continued to spiral.
Italy collapsed once the Manentis were dismissed, losing their final wickets quickly. Michael Leask was the standout bowler for Scotland, ripping through the middle order with figures of 4/17, while Mark Watt chipped in with two wickets and kept things tight. Contributions from Brad Currie, Brad Wheal, and Oliver Davidson ensured sustained pressure throughout the innings.
With Italy falling short of one batter after their skipper dislocated his shoulder in the first innings, they lost nine wickets inside 17 overs as Scotland completed a comprehensive 73-run victory.
Earlier, Scotland produced a commanding batting display, posting 207/4. It was the first 200-plus total of the tournament and also marked the first time an associate nation has scored over 200 in a T20 World Cup.
After being sent in to bat, Scotland built a strong platform through openers Munsey and Michael Jones, who added 126 runs for the first wicket. Munsey led the charge with a superb 84 off 54 balls, striking 13 fours and two sixes, while Jones contributed 37 off 30. Their partnership ensured Scotland stayed in control despite a steady powerplay of 49 runs.
Following the openers’ dismissals, Brandon McMullen and skipper Richie Berrington kept the momentum going. Scotland accelerated sharply in the death overs, with Berrington and McMullen exploiting the Italian attack before Leask provided a late flourish, smashing 22 runs in the final over as Scotland finished strongly with 207 runs on board.
Ali Hasan was Italy's leading bowler, finishing with 1-21, highlighted by a brilliant 19th over in which he conceded just four runs and picked up a wicket.
Brad Currie to Harry Manenti, Nagging length on middle, Manenti gets a bit squared up and edges it down to short third. Anthony Mosca at the other end calls for the single and the batters scamper through to make it in time.
Brad Currie to Harry Manenti, A bit slower and fuller on middle and leg, Manenti hangs back and defends it right under the eyes.
Brad Currie to Harry Manenti, Back of a length and outside off, Harry Manenti reaches out and slaps it away to the left of deep point for a couple of runs.
A rapid innings from JJ Smuts comes to an end. Harry Manenti comes in at number 4.
Brad Currie to JJ Smuts, OUT! CAUGHT! Entertaining while it lasted but JJ Smuts has to walk back and Brad Currie is ecstatic with that wicket. Smartly bowled by Currie as he takes the pace off and pitches it fuller around off. Smuts is drawn into the drive but ends up chipping it off the face of the blade. Richie Berrington at short cover, reacts sharply and lunges to his right to grab the catch. Smuts walks back after making 22 (11) and Italy are now 32/2 after 3.1 overs.
- Anthony Mosca 9 (7)
- JJ Smuts 22 (10)
Brad Wheal to Anthony Mosca, SIX! Wow, that sounded amazing off the bat and Anthony Mosca now joins the fun. Slower length ball, right in the hitting arc. Mosca waits well and pummels it across and over deep mid-wicket for a huge six. 23 off the over and Italy are back in it.
Brad Wheal to Anthony Mosca, Pitched up fuller, Mosca punches it to mid off.
Brad Wheal to JJ Smuts, Much better length from Wheal. Full of a good length and around off, Smuts looks to drive but gets an inside edge. The ball rolls off the pads towards backward point and they get a single.
Brad Wheal to JJ Smuts, SIX! Italy have lift off! Another drag down by Brad Wheal, just sits up for the batter. JJ Smuts swivels on the back foot and pulls it flat and into the advertisement board over the square leg fence.
Brad Wheal to JJ Smuts, FOUR! Oh, the timing on that is glorious. Good length on middle, Smuts just tucks it to the right of mid-wicket and gets it through the infield. The ball keeps speeding away and even beats the fielder who was running across to his left from deep square leg.
Just one over for Michael Leask. Brad Wheal is introduced into the attack.
Brad Wheal to JJ Smuts, SIX! That's nonchalantly put away by JJ Smuts. Short of a length, angled into the hips, Smuts picks the length early and hangs back before hoicking it over long leg for Italy's first six in the T20 World Cup.
- Anthony Mosca 3 (5)
- JJ Smuts 5 (6)
Brad Currie to Anthony Mosca, That should have been put away and Anthony Mosca knows it. Short and wide, angling further away, Mosca has a waft at it but is beaten.
Brad Currie to Anthony Mosca, On a good length and slanted wide outside off, Mosca is early to walk across to the off side. He adjusts and just glides it down to the right of deep third for a couple of runs.
Brad Currie to Anthony Mosca, Good length on leg, cramping the batter for room. Mosca looks to flick but wears it on the side of the front pad.
Brad Currie to JJ Smuts, A bit slower and on a hard length around off, Smuts hops back and taps it behind square leg for a run.
Brad Currie to JJ Smuts, WIDE! Strays in line, does Currie. Good length, starts on leg stump and swings down the leg side for a wide.
Brad Currie to Anthony Mosca, Fuller than a good length, shaping into the pads. Mosca nudges it behind square on the leg side and picks up a single to get off the mark.
Brad Currie to Anthony Mosca, Back of a length, angling away from the right-hander. Anthony Mosca gets up on his toes and edges it down to short third.
Brad Currie to bowl from the other end.
- JJ Smuts 4 (5)
- Anthony Mosca 0 (0)
Michael Leask to JJ Smuts, FOUR! First runs for Italy in the Men's T20 World Cup and it comes in the form of a boundary. This is floated up around leg stump, JJ Smuts sits down and helps it well over short fine leg for a boundary. Italy are 4/1 after one.
Michael Leask to JJ Smuts, Fuller now, fired in on off and middle. JJ Smuts chips it towards mid off.
Michael Leask to JJ Smuts, Slightly dragged length, a touch slower and on off. Smuts backs away again and punches it firmly to extra cover.
Michael Leask to JJ Smuts, Pushed through flatter and angled across off, Smuts backs away to cut but is beaten past the outside edge.
Michael Leask to JJ Smuts, Leask continues from around the wicket. Floated up on leg, JJ Smuts fails to get it away.
Out goes Justin Mosca, in comes JJ Smuts.
Michael Leask to Justin Mosca, OUT! CAUGHT! Taken first ball! George Munsey can do no wrong today and that's an ominous start for Italy with the bat. Michael Leask starts around the wicket and drops a loosener wide outside off. It is short and wide, begging to be put away. Justin Mosca rocks back and slices it to the right of backward point where Munsey puts in a horizontal dive and snaffles it with both hands. A golden duck for one of the Mosca brothers and Leask is delighted.
It was a great performance from the team there. I thought George Munsey was excellent with Michael Jones setting up the total for us at the back end to go out there and express ourselves. Really happy walking off at the halfway stage.
(On the finish) Michael Leask is our X-factor player and played a top innings, showing what he can do for us. (On his good record against Italy) I just think it's a World Cup on the greatest stage of our game, so I'm just excited to get out there and play and hopefully put in a performance. (If this was a winning score) I'm not sure, it's a bit stoppy out there, tennis ball bounce, so hopefully our bowlers can go and do the job in the second half. Not sure, I'll have to catch up, I think (if he'd bowl more than one over)
Welcome back for the chase. Remember, Italy are without their skipper, Wayne Madsen, in the chase. So, someone else has to step up. The Mosca brothers, Anthony and Justin to open for Italy. Michael Leask to bowl first. Let's play...
...THE CHASE...
The Madsen mishap - In a heartbreaking turn for the debutants, Italian captain Wayne Madsen suffered a dislocated shoulder while fielding early in the powerplay. He was forced to leave the field in visible pain, leaving the Azzurri without their leader and most experienced batter for the chase. With the reports stated by Ian Bishop on air, it was confirmed that Wayne Madsen has dislocated his shoulder and will take no further part in the game. The Italians' bowling found hope through Ali Hasan, who was the pick of their lot but apart from that, they faltered on the wrong side mainly. The debutants have a mountain to climb for the first time, asking. Can they make a mark on the world stage by putting up a show? The chase is coming up.
Breakdown of Scotland's batting innings - Munsey was the heartbeat of the innings, falling just short of a century with a scintillating 84 off 54 balls. His opening partnership of 126 runs with Michael Jones completely deflated the Italian bowling attack early on. Brandon McMullen ensured the momentum didn't stall, smashing an unbeaten 41 off just 18 balls. Eventually, the flurry of boundaries from the bat of Michael Leask in the final over was what ultimately pushed Scotland past that 200-run barrier.
Scotland make merry at Eden Gardens - You’ve hit the nail on the head! This is a statement performance from the Scots. By crossing the 200-run mark, Scotland has not only set the highest total of the 2026 T20 World Cup so far, but they've done it with the kind of clinical aggression that silenced any doubts following their loss to the West Indies.
Hang on, we are not done yet. The umpires have just asked the batters to wait as they check for a waist height no ball. Actually, Scotland have taken the review. The third umpire deems it a legal delivery. So, Scotland end with 207/4 in their full quota.
- Michael Leask 22 (5)
- Brandon McMullen 41 (18)
Thomas Draca to Michael Leask, SIX! Oh, Thomas Draca, what have you done? An over that started with so much promise has turned into a nightmare for the bowling side. Draca goes for the yorker but ends up serving a waist-high full toss. Michael Leask presses back and swings it handsomely over deep mid-wicket for a mammoth six. It is checked for a No Ball for height but the third umpire confirms that it was below waist height. 22 off the final over and Scotland finish with 207/4 on the board!
Thomas Draca to Michael Leask, SIX! Wow, Michael Leask is turning on the heat in this final over. Just short of a good length and fairly straight, Leask hangs back, makes a bit of room and clubs it over long on for a six. Scotland bring up 200 runs for the first time in a T20 World Cup match.
Thomas Draca to Michael Leask, FOUR! That sounded so sweet off the bat and Scotland are just one hit away from breaching the 200-run mark. Slower one, short and over middle, Leask hangs back and flat-bats the pull perfectly between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a boundary.
Thomas Draca to Michael Leask, Banged in short and over the stumps, Leask backs away to pull but gets an inside edge. The ball rolls away behind square on the leg side and the batters pick up a couple of runs.
Michael Leask is the next batter in.
Thomas Draca to Michael Leask, FOUR! That's rocketed to the fence. Full and outside off, Michael Leask laces this cover drive and gets it through the gap for a boundary.
Thomas Draca to Tom Bruce, OUT! CAUGHT! Italy are wrestling back some momentum late in the first innings. Thomas Draca serves it on a good length and attacks the stumps. Tom Bruce hangs back and makes room to heave it leg side but loses his shape. This is sliced towards backward point where Justin Mosca takes a couple of steps back and pouches it safely. Draca, the man who calls the Aussie pace legend Dennis Lillie his 'godfather', has just picked up his first wicket in a World Cup.
An outstanding19th over from Ali Hasan has given Italy some hope of keeping Scotland under 200. Thomas Draca to bowl the final over.
- Tom Bruce 1 (1)
- Brandon McMullen 41 (18)
Ali Hasan to Tom Bruce, Pitched up full and outside off, Tom Bruce hammers it on the bounce to long off for a single. Just 4 runs and a wicket off the 19th over.
Out goes Richie Berrington, in comes Tom Bruce.
Ali Hasan to Richie Berrington, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Ali Hasan wins the game of cat and mouse and the Scottish skipper has to walk back. A bit slower, on a length and darted across off. Berrington is hell-bent on shuffling across and targeting the shorter leg side boundary but ends up edging this one behind to the keeper. Gian-Piero Meade makes no mistake and Hasan is rewarded for some consistent bowling. Scotland are now 184/3.
Ali Hasan to Richie Berrington, And again! Very full and angled across off. Berrington walks to the off side and looks to sweep but is beaten again.
Ali Hasan to Richie Berrington, That's well bowled by Hasan. Full and wide outside off again, follows the batter and gets it right in the blockhole. Berrington looks to sweep but misses.
Ali Hasan to Brandon McMullen, Mishit but McMullen gets away with it. Full and angled across off, albeit a touch slower. Brandon McMullen picks it up and lofts it on the bounce to long off for a single.
Ali Hasan to Brandon McMullen, Pitched up fuller and angled across off, McMullen stays low and drags it between long on and deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
Asked to bat first, Scotland piled up a daunting 207/4, riding on a blazing 84 from George Munsey, a rapid 41 from Brandon McMullen and an unbeaten 22 from Michael Leask. The target proved far beyond Italy, whose chase faltered early and ended at 134 all out in 16.4 overs.
Italy’s reply got off to the worst possible start as Justin Mosca fell for a golden duck. Anthony Mosca chipped in with 13, while JJ Smuts briefly threatened with a quickfire 22 off 11 balls at a strike rate of 200, but regular wickets prevented any sustained momentum.
The only real resistance came from the Manenti brothers. Harry Manenti fought hard with 37 off 25 balls, while Ben Manenti top-scored with a fluent 52 from 31 deliveries, including five boundaries and a six. Their efforts briefly revived Italy’s hopes, but the mounting required rate and lack of support from the other end proved costly.
Once the Manentis departed, Italy’s innings unraveled quickly. Michael Leask starred with the ball, slicing through the middle order to return figures of 4/17. Mark Watt claimed two wickets, while Brad Currie, Brad Wheal and Oliver Davidson maintained relentless pressure.
Italy, already a batter short after skipper Wayne Madsen dislocated his shoulder while fielding in the first innings, lost their final wickets in a rush as Scotland wrapped up a comprehensive victory inside 17 overs.
Earlier, Scotland’s batting set the tone in emphatic fashion. Openers Munsey and Michael Jones laid a solid foundation with a 126-run stand for the first wicket. Munsey struck 13 fours and two sixes in his 54-ball knock, while Jones added 37 from 30 deliveries as Scotland reached a steady 49 in the powerplay.
McMullen and captain Richie Berrington ensured the momentum never dipped, before Leask’s late assault — 22 runs off the final over — pushed Scotland past the 200 mark. The total was the first 200-plus score of the tournament and also the first time an associate nation has crossed 200 in a T20 World Cup.
Match Statistics
Venue
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
