Scotland opened their account in style. George Munsey smashed 84, Michael Leask blasted 22 off 5 balls and then ripped through Italy with 4/17 as the Scots hammered debutants Italy by 73 runs at Eden Gardens on Monday.
The win lifts Scotland to two points in Group C after their opening loss to West Indies and keeps their Super 8 hopes alive.
Munsey and Jones Lay Perfect Platform
Scotland were sent in and made Italy pay from the first over.
George Munsey tore into the bowling like a man possessed. He raced to 84 off 54 balls with 13 fours and two sixes. Michael Jones played the perfect sidekick with 37 off 30. Together they put on 126 for the first wicket, the highest partnership of the tournament so far.
The powerplay yielded just 49, but once the field spread, Munsey cut loose. One pull over mid-wicket off Grant Stewart sailed into the second tier. The Italian bowlers looked shell-shocked.
This was the first 200-plus total by an associate nation in T20 World Cup history.
Death-Overs Carnage Takes Scotland Past 200
When Munsey fell in the 15th over, Italy sniffed a chance.
Brandon McMullen and Richie Berrington had other ideas. They took the score from 126/1 to 171/3 in five overs. McMullen hammered 41 off 25 before Leask walked in and turned the final over into a nightmare for Italy.
The burly all-rounder smoked 22 off the last five legal deliveries, including three sixes. Ali Hasan, who had bowled beautifully until then, went for 22 as Scotland finished on 207/4.
It was the first 200-plus score of the 2026 World Cup and sent a loud message to the group.
Italy Lose Captain Before a Ball is Bowled in Chase
Tragedy struck Italy even before their reply began.
Captain Wayne Madsen dislocated his left shoulder while fielding in the first innings. Harry Manenti took over leadership duties on debut, a cruel twist for the young side.
The chase started in horror. Justin Mosca bagged a golden duck second ball. Brother Anthony fell soon after for 13. At 28/3, Italy were staring at embarrassment.
JJ Smuts briefly threatened with 22 off 11, but once he holed out, the innings fell apart.
Manenti Brothers Give Italy Hope, Leask Snuffs It Out
The only bright spot came from the Manenti siblings.
Harry (37 off 25) and Ben (52 off 31) added 73 for the fifth wicket, the highest partnership for Italy in T20Is. Ben brought up the first-ever fifty for Italy in a World Cup, a moment of pure joy for the small cricketing nation.
But joy was short-lived.
Michael Leask returned and blew the game open. He removed Harry, then came back to castle Ben with a beauty that turned square. Italy lost their last six wickets for 26 runs and folded for 134 in 16.4 overs.
Leask finished with 4/17 and walked away Player of the Match for his 22* and four wickets, a classic all-round Scottish performance.
Key Bowling Figures for Scotland
- Michael Leask: 4/17
- Mark Watt: 2/24
- Brad Currie: 1/22
- Brad Wheal: 1/28
- Oliver Davidson: 1/19
What the Win Means for Both Teams
Scotland now have momentum heading into their blockbuster clash against England. Richie Berrington’s men showed they can dominate on the big stage when everything clicks.
For Italy, the dream debut turned into a harsh lesson. Yet the Manenti brothers’ fight and Ben’s historic fifty gave Italian cricket something to celebrate. They still have games left and nothing to lose.
Cricket needed this. An associate nation posting 200+ and blowing away an opponent on a World Cup night in Kolkata. Moments like these are why we fell in love with this game.
Scotland reminded everyone they belong. Italy showed they won’t just make up numbers.
That’s the beauty of this expanded World Cup.
Tell us in the comments: Can Scotland upset England next? And did the Manenti brothers make you believe Italy can spring a surprise before this tournament ends?
