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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.
Ali Hasan to George Munsey, This is full and around off, George Munsey pushes it to mid off.
Ali Hasan to Michael Jones, A stifled appeal for LBW but it's given as a run. Hasan bowls on the fuller side, across the eyeline of Jones, on leg, who fails to flick and wears it on the pads. It rolls to square leg for a single. It was anyways pitching outside leg.
Will Ali Hasan get a third over in a row? Yes, he will. 2 overs for 12 runs so far for Hasan.
- George Munsey 30 (18)
- Michael Jones 3 (6)
Thomas Draca to George Munsey, A dot to end but 15 runs off the over. Pushed it full and bowls it wide of off, George Munsey plants his foot across to drive it away but misses.
Thomas Draca to George Munsey, Short in length, on off, pulled past square leg for a couple of runs.
Thomas Draca to George Munsey, FOUR! Hat trick of boundaries. Serious start by Scotland and Munsey! Draca offers width on the off side on a good length. Munsey fetches the ball and hammers it past cover-point in the gap for four runs.
Thomas Draca to George Munsey, FOUR! Beautiful from George Munsey once again! Draca goes very full and bowls it outside off, Munsey hits it straight, his bat turns a bit but it allows him to hit it past the bowler and between mid on and mid off for four.
Uh, oh! That doesn't look good at all for Italy. Wayne Madsen seems to have overstretched that left arm while trying to stop the ball and might have just dislocated that left shoulder. He seems to be in a lot of pain and is going off the field for now. Hopefully, the Italian skipper is fine, but for now, it will be Harry Manenti to lead the side.
Thomas Draca to George Munsey, FOUR! Strong from Munsey! First boundary for Munsey on the leg side. Back of a length, outside off, Munsey pulls it to the left of the mid on fielder for a boundary. Oh, dear! The skipper of Italy, Wayne Madsen, was the fielder there and he hurt himself while diving across. He holds his left hand as he makes his way back to the dugout.
Thomas Draca to George Munsey, WIDE! Shorter delivery, a bit too wide and almost over the tramline. Munsey swings his blade and misses.
Thomas Draca to George Munsey, Thomas Draca serves a fuller length delivery, outside off, George Munsey leans and punches it to cover.
Time for a bowling change? Yes, indeed. Thomas Draca comes into the attack, replacing Grant Stewart.
- Michael Jones 3 (6)
- George Munsey 16 (12)
Ali Hasan to Michael Jones, Swing and a miss! Tidy over from Hasan! Angles across a shorter delivery, with some width. Jones flashes his blade and misses.
Ali Hasan to George Munsey, Almost found the gap but good fielding! Short in length, outside off, Munsey pulls it to the left of the mid on fielder, who dives across and stops it for a run. 500 runs for George Munsey in ICC Men's T20 World Cups, as mentioned by Ian Bishop on-air.
Ali Hasan to George Munsey, Nicely bowled! Gets it to nip back in a fraction around off and bowls it on the shorter side. Munsey tries to fend it away but ends up nudging it back on the deck. Three dots in a row.
Ali Hasan to George Munsey, In the channel, around the sixth stump and on the fuller side. George Munsey steps across and knocks it to cover.
Ali Hasan to George Munsey, Ali Hasan targets the stumps with a length ball. Munsey half-presses and nicely taps it in front of point.
Ali Hasan to Michael Jones, Back of a length, around off, Jones is pegged back as he chops it to point for a run.
- George Munsey 15 (8)
- Michael Jones 2 (4)
Grant Stewart to George Munsey, FOUR! First solid shot from Munsey's blade. Grant Stewart overpitches it up, just outside off. Munsey frees his arms, swings down and lofts it over mid off for his third boundary.
Grant Stewart to Michael Jones, Short of a good length and on middle, Jones bunts it to square leg and runs across.
Grant Stewart to Michael Jones, Grant Stewart keeps it full, around off, seaming away late. Jones charges down but ends up digging it to cover.
Grant Stewart to George Munsey, An inswinging fuller delivery from around the wicket to the left-hander. On middle, Munsey turns it to mid-wicket for one more.
Grant Stewart to Michael Jones, Jones opens his account. Fuller and a bit of inward shape on it. Jones fends it in front of mid on and scampers across for a single.
Grant Stewart to Michael Jones, Right on the money! On a hard length and on middle and off, Michael Jones hangs back to defend it out.
The last two balls spoil a very decent first over for the Italians. Grant Stewart will start proceedings from the other end.
- George Munsey 10 (6)
- Michael Jones 0 (0)
Ali Hasan to George Munsey, FOUR! Squirts it again but it all counts. 10 off the first over. Hasan keeps it in the channel, wide of off. Munsey plays with hard hands as he slashes his drive, gets a thick outside edge, which balloons over backward point for another boundary.
Ali Hasan to George Munsey, FOUR! First boundary of the game. Ali Hasan offers width, bowls it short and wide of off. George Munsey throws his blade and flashes it over backward point and it rolls to the fence.
Ali Hasan to George Munsey, Scotland are up and running! Overpitched delivery, on middle, George Munsey punches it straight down the ground, not off the middle of the blade and settles with a brace to his name.
Ali Hasan to George Munsey, Hasan gets it to shape in a little bit, on a good length and around off, Munsey keeps it out on the leg side.
While the two sides do not have a long history in T20 internationals, their recent encounters have produced contrasting results. Scotland and Italy have met twice in T20 internationals, with the head-to-head record evenly poised at 1–1. Their meetings have come in high-stakes ICC events, adding further significance to their rivalry.
Both teams have won three of their previous five T20I matches overall. Scotland began their recent run with two consecutive wins before suffering three straight defeats, while Italy opened with a win, endured three losses, and then bounced back with a victory in their most recent outing.
Italy are the latest team to join the World Cup, bringing momentum with them. Nine months ago, they defeated today’s opponents in the T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier, securing a historic 12-run win. They also recorded strong warm-up victories against Canada and the UAE in Chennai.
Winning the toss, Italy captain Wayne Madsen said, “Looks a really good wicket, think it's going to be hard to defend. The moment is for us now. It's about enjoying and expressing ourselves. We want to make our mark.”
Meanwhile, Scotland skipper Richie Berrington said, “Quite happy with that (batting), hopefully we put a good total on the board. We can take positives (from the last game) into this one. (On Italy) They are a really good game, expect it to be a good contest. Just one change. Brad Wheal comes in for Sharif.”
Playing XIs:
Italy: Anthony Mosca, Justin Mosca, JJ Smuts, Wayne Madsen (c), Harry Manenti, Ben Manenti, Grant Stewart, Gian-Piero Meade (wk), Marcus Campopiano, Crishan Kalugamage, Ali Hasan
Scotland: George Munsey, Michael Jones, Brandon McMullen, Richie Berrington (c), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross (wk), Mark Watt, Michael Leask, Oliver Davidson, Brad Wheal, Brad Currie
Ali Hasan to George Munsey, Pitches it up, looking for some swing but nothing so far. This is outside off. George Munsey leans and drives it to the cover fielder.
Ali Hasan to George Munsey, Hard hands from Munsey! Touch fuller and around off from over the wicket. Munsey punches a bit uppishly and to the left of cover.
Done with the pre-match formalities and it is now time to play! Former T20 World Cup winner with West Indies, Samuel Badree, rings the bell signalling the start of play. The umpires are out in the middle and the Italians quickly get into a huddle before spreading out onto the field of play. It will be the duo of Michael Jones and George Munsey to open the innings for Scotland. Ali Hasan has the new ball in hand and is ready to bowl the first over for Italy in a World Cup. Let's play...
Time for the anthems - The two sets of players are out in the middle for their respective national anthems. It will be the Italian national anthem played at a Cricket World Cup for the first time ever, followed by the Scottish national anthem.
Scotland's captain - RICHIE BERRINGTON says they are happy to bat first, as the surface is good to bat on. Shares that it was a great experience to play against the West Indies, they were happy to stretch the game till the deep and were in a strong position in the game. Mentions that Italy are a really good team but they'll focus on their strengths. Informs Brad Wheal comes in for Safyaan Sharif.
The skipper of Italy - WAYNE MADSEN says that they will bowl first because the wicket looks good and it might be hard to defend. Adds that they are really excited and it is all about expressing themselves out in the middle. Mentions that they don't have the luxury of being together as a group for a long time but had a good couple of weeks of preparation ahead of the tournament. Ends by saying that they are here to win games.
Scotland (Playing XI) - George Munsey, Michael Jones, Brandon McMullen, Richie Berrington (C), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross (WK), Mark Watt, Michael Leask, Oliver Davidson, Brad Wheal (In for Safyaan Sharif), and Brad Currie.
Italy (Playing XI) - Justin Mosca, Anthony Mosca, JJ Smuts, Wayne Madsen (C), Harry Manenti, Benjamin Manenti, Grant Stewart, Gian-Piero Meade (WK), Crishan Kalugamage, Thomas Draca, and Ali Hasan.
We're quite happy with that, hopefully we put a good total on the board. We can take positives (from the last game) into this one. (On Italy) They are a really good game, expect it to be a good contest. Just one change. Brad Wheal comes in for Sharif.
We're gonna have a bowl. Looks a really good wicket, think it's going to be hard to defend. The moment is for us now. It's about enjoying and expressing ourselves. We want to make our mark.
TOSS - Up goes the coin, and it lands in favour of Wayne Madsen. Italy elect to BOWL first!
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Region Qualifier 2023
Venue: Grange Cricket Club Ground, Raeburn Place, Edinburgh
Result: Scotland won
Scotland dominated their first-ever T20I against Italy, piling up a massive 245 for 2 thanks to Ollie Hairs’ unbeaten 127 and Brandon McMullen’s 96. In reply, Italy collapsed and were bowled out for 90 despite Grant Stewart’s 41, as Gavin Main’s five-wicket haul powered Scotland to a crushing victory.
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Region Final 2025
Venue: Sportpark Westvliet, Voorburg
Result: Italy won
Italy edged past Scotland in the Europe Region final, posting 167 for 6 on the back of Emilio Gay’s rapid 50 and Grant Stewart’s unbeaten 44. Scotland’s chase, led by George Munsey’s 72 and Richie Berrington’s 46*, fell short as Harry Manenti’s five-wicket haul sealed a tense 12-run victory for Italy.
Both Italy and Scotland are in Group C along with two-time champions West Indies and England, besides Nepal.
Head-to-Head record in T20Is
Matches Played – 2
Scotland Won – 1
Italy Won – 1
Scotland and Italy have met twice in T20 internationals, with the head-to-head record evenly poised at 1–1. Their meetings have come in high-stakes ICC events, adding further significance to their rivalry. Scotland have lost their first match against the mighty West Indies.
Recent form guide (Last Five T20Is) –
Scotland: W, W, L, L, L
Italy: W, L, L, L, W
Both teams have won three of their previous five T20I matches overall. Scotland began their recent run with two consecutive wins before suffering three straight defeats, while Italy opened with a win, endured three losses, and then bounced back with a victory in their most recent outing.
Scotland: Richie Berrington (captain), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross, Bradley Currie, Oliver Davidson, Chris Greaves, Zainullah Ihsan, Michael Jones, Michael Leask, Finlay McCreath, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Mark Watt and Brad Wheal.
Italy: Wayne Madsen (captain), Marcus Campopiano, Gian Piero Meade, Zain Ali, Ali Hasan, Crishan Jorge, Harry Manenti, Anthony Mosca, Justin Mosca, Syed Naqvi, Ben Manenti, Jaspreet Singh, JJ Smuts, Grant Stewart and Thomas Draca.
They had also stunned Scotland by 12 runs in the European qualifiers, a result that ultimately proved decisive in sealing their World Cup qualification.
Scotland, though, remain wary of the threat.
“Yeah, obviously, I think that was a disappointing defeat. Like I said, we did have a bit of a hiccup during that tournament. But we’re looking to just work on ourselves and what we can do better,” said pacer Safyaan Sharif.
Having made a late entry into the tournament, Scotland showed flashes of promise but their batting faltered in a 35-run defeat in their opening match at the venue on Saturday.
“Look, one team’s going to lose anyway. Unfortunately, it was us. But the way we showed our character today when it was the first half and the second half, I think, it’s just exciting things to come yet,” he added.
“We saw the rugby team get one over Scotland yesterday in the Six Nations, so hopefully we can emulate that tomorrow when we start against Scotland,” said the Italian skipper.
“I’m sure no more than 10 per cent in the country knows that Italy is making its debut in T20 World Cup,” someone from the team said.
Madsen, however, feels the momentum is gradually building.
“I know there have been some articles in local papers, so the message is starting to get out that we’re here at the World Cup and it’s going to be our first, and it’s obviously going to be a big moment for cricket in Italy and for growing the game.
“But I think as the World Cup starts and once the games start on television, that is only going to grow further and further. So yeah, we’re expecting more momentum in that regard once the tournament is underway properly for us.”
Captain Wayne Madsen, who was born in South Africa, qualifies through his Italian grandmother and is set to make his cricket World Cup debut nearly two decades after representing his native country at the hockey World Cup. Bowler Crishan Kalugamage moved to Italy from Sri Lanka at the age of 15, while wicketkeeper Marcus Campopiano was born in England to an Italian father.
The 15-man squad also features two sets of Australian brothers with Italian family connections — Harry and Ben Manenti, and Anthony and Justin Mosca — while former South Africa all-rounder JJ Smuts adds experience. Former Ireland all-rounder Kevin O’Brien is part of the coaching staff.
Remnants of that legacy still exist in Italy’s football heartland. Genoa, the country’s oldest football club founded in 1893, continues to be known as Genoa Cricket and Football Club, while AC Milan was originally formed as Milan Football & Cricket Club.
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
