Debutants Italy were outplayed in all departments of the game as they suffered a 73-run defeat at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. After Scotland were put to bat first, George Munsey starred with 84 as they posted 207/4 on the board. In the absence of their injured skipper Wayne Madsen, Italy failed to capitalise in the middle overs and were bowled out for 134 in the 17th over.
Madsen sets the tone
Madsen won the toss and opted to bowl first. In the fourth over, Madsen put in a dive and dislocated his left shoulder. He could not take further part in the game. In the same over, Thomas Draca conceded 15 runs. Scotland were 49 for no loss after six overs. In the eighth over, Munsey got to his fifty from 31 balls. The partnership was eventually broken in the 14th over by Grant Stewart. He became Italy's first bowler to take a wicket. The opener hit 13 fours and a couple of sixes in his 54-ball 84.
In the next over, Michael Jones lost his wicket to JJ Smuts. He scored 37 runs from 30 balls. Brandon McMullen hit Crishan Kalugamage for a couple of sixes. Two wickets fell in the final two overs but Leask went berserk in the five balls he faced. Leask hit Draca for two sixes and as many fours. On the other end, McMullen remained unbeaten for 18-ball 41 as Scotland posted 207/4 on the board.
Manenti brothers’ fight in vain, Leask dominates
In the run chase, Justin Mosca departed for a golden duck to Leask. Smuts used the fielding restrictions and hit Brad Wheal for two sixes and a four in the third over. Brad Currie ended Smuts' stay at the crease in the fourth over. In the next over, Mark Watt dismissed Anthony Mosca. Harry Manendi ended the powerplay overs with a six. Italy were 54/3 after six overs. At the halfway stage, Italy reached 87/3.
Leask was brought back into the attack and he delivered with Harry's wicket. He scored 37 runs from 25 balls. In the 14th over, Ben Manenti fell after reaching his fifty. He hit five fours and a six in his 31-ball 52. Leask's double strike in his 15th over ruled out any possibility of a comeback. He conceded just 17 runs from his quota of four overs. There was no fight from the lower order as Italy were bowled out for 134 in 16.4 overs. Scotland registered their first win of the T20 World Cup 2026 campaign after a defeat to West Indies.