🏏ICC Men's T20 World Cup : M7: SCO vs ITA at Kolkata on 09/02/26🏏

🏏ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026: M7: SCO vs ITA at Kolkata on 09/02/26🏏

Italy's historic qualification for their first ever ICC pinnacle event made headlines around the world last summer, but came as no surprise to dedicated watchers of cricket on the European mainland.

The achievement is the culmination of a project begun some five years ago, spearheaded by county veteran Gareth Berg, to combine strength of the country's small but dedicated local scene with the wealth of talent in the Italian diaspora. Berg himself stepped aside before reaching the World Cup promised land after Italy came up just short in their qualification push last cycle, finishing runners-up behind Ireland and Scotland at the 2023 European regional final.

Italy have lost a second Moses since, with new captain Joe Burns, having led the Italians unbeaten through a home Sub-Regional Qualifier and then on to claim the second berth at the Regional Finals in the Netherlands, parting ways with the side ahead of the tournament itself.

The foundations laid under Berg and Burns look solid however, the experienced Wayne Madsen taking over the captaincy and leading the side to their first win over a full member, besting Ireland in the final match of their preparatory series in the UAE. Warm-up wins since over Namibia and Canada underline how the undertaking Berg began has transformed the Azzuri into genuine short-form contenders.

Scotland (SCO) will be facing a strong Italy (ITA) side in a Group C encounter at the historic venue of Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Monday, February 9.

Scotland have been in quite a poor run of form in the shortest format of the game of late. They have lost all three of their preceding 20-over encounters, the latest of which was against the West Indies on Saturday. If they want to give themselves a genuine chance of making it further in the tournament, getting a couple of points on Monday would be the first step in achieving so.

Eden Gardens, Kolkata: Pitch Report

The Eden Gardens in Kolkata is among the oldest cricketing landmarks in the world, and it will be the host to an epic clash between Italy and Scotland, where the pitch is expected to assist the batters early on. Of the last five T20Is played here since 2022, 60 per cent have been won by the team defending the total. Opting to bat first can be a perfect choice on a surface that tends to get better for the bowlers as the match progresses.

SCO vs ITA: Predicted Playing XIs

Scotland

George Munsey, Michael Jones, Brandon McMullen, Richie Berrington (captain), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross (wicketkeeper), Mark Watt, Michael Leask, Oliver Davidson, Safyaan Sharif, Brad Currie

Italy

Justin Mosca, Anthony Mosca, JJ Smuts, Wayne Madsen (captain), Harry Manenti, Gian-Piero Meade (wicketkeeper), Grant Stewart, Marcus Campopiano, Jaspreet Singh, Ali Hasan, Crishan Kalugamage

SCO vs ITA: Probable Best Performers

Probable Best Batter: George Munsey

George Munsey is the most vital cog in the Scottish batting unit. The left-handed batter has scored 179 runs in his last five outings in T20 internationals, which includes a couple of half-centuries as well. The opening batter will look to get some runs under his belt, having acclimatised himself to the conditions of the venue in the previous outing in Kolkata.

Probable Best Bowler: JJ Smuts

TextJJ Smuts, the all-rounder who once played for South Africa, is representing Italy for the first time in a global tournament. His skills with the ball are certainly underrated, but the cricketer will look to change the narrative with an inspirational spell in the upcoming fixture. What makes Smuts extremely lethal is his ability to vary the ball in terms of pace and stick to his wicket-taking options.

A little over a week ago Scotland were just starting the build up toward their next expected tour - a League 2 ODI tri-series in Namibia in late March, when an eleventh-hour call-up to the T20 World Cup pulled them out of winter training and onto the plane to India. Were it not for the withdrawal of Bangladesh, Scotland's next T20 assignment would have been a sub-regional Qualifier in Copenhagen next summer, after a poor run in the shorter format saw them finish 4th in the recent European Finals and deposited at the bottom of the qualifying ladder for the first time.

The last-minute reprieve catches Scotland in the midst of something of a rebuilding phase, having been blooding youngsters with mixed success in T20 in recent years, and under new direction too with head coach Owen Dawkins just a few weeks in the job. Yet the core of the side, under veteran skipper Richie Berrington, are no strangers to the big stage, with nine of the travelling party veterans of the 2021 run to the Super 12s. Scotland's unexpected inclusion for this edition has been described by some as a "free hit", but if so it's one the Scots will be dead set on sending over the rope.

Given the circumstances, Scotland's hastily-assembled squad is partly a reflection of who's available at short notice, and unsurprisingly doesn't deviate too far from their established roster. Scott Currie's brief appearance on an England team sheet has made him ineligible, while Chris Sole's professional commitments continue to take priority. That said there's clear signs of Owen Dawkins' faith in some of the youngsters he'd worked with prior to taking on the top job, with Finlay McCreath, Oli Davidson and Zainullah Ihsan all making the fifteen -the latter pair as yet uncapped.

Left-arm spinner Davidson has pushed elder brother Jasper into the travelling reserves, likely in deference to conditions, bolstering a spin section led by fellow southpaw Mark Watt along with offie Michael Leask and legspinner Chis Greaves. Ihsan will be competing with Currie and Wheal and Sharif for a seamers slot, while the returning Michael Jones and former Black-cap Tom Bruce bolster the batting card.

The Scots have not played much T20 this cycle, and indeed they've not played a T20I outside of Europe since the last World Cup. They lost heavily to Australia in a three game home series shortly after that tournament (having stepped in to host in place of Ireland), and it would be nine months before they played another T20I. They shared honours with the Netherlands and Nepal in a trilateral series against the tacked onto a home CWC League 2 leg at Glasgow just ahead of the European Regional Qualifier last summer, where defeats at the hands of Italy and Jersey left them languishing in fourth place and facing relegation to Sub-regionals for the coming cycle. Events have offered them an escape route now, but too late for them to arrange any significant preparatory tours to turn their form around.

Last five T20Is: L-W-W-L-L

Who can bend a match in 10 balls

Given recent results Scotland need a difference-maker at the death, and newcomer Tom Bruce may be just the man for the job. The Central Districts skipper has been in fine form at four in the Super Smash, and is (Mark Watt's NPL fireworks notwithstanding) the only Scotland bat not coming into the tournament cold.

Scheduling

Three matches at Eden Gardens first up might be just what the doctor ordered for Scotland's undercooked batting card, but the seam attack may have reason to worry. Facing the Windies first up will bring back happy memories of '22 though, and should Scotland spring another ambush there they would be well placed to push for progression. If they are still in the game by the time they take on Nepal in their final group stage match at Mumbai the venue-switch could favour Nepal, but all told Scotland have a fairly forgiving itinerary.

Date Opponent Venue
Feb 7West IndiesEden Gardens, Kolkata
Feb 9ItalyEden Gardens, Kolkata
Feb 14EnglandEden Gardens, Kolkata
Feb 18NepalWankhede Stadium, Mumbai