Scotland vs Italy, 7th Match, Group C, ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 - Commentary

That ends game one of the triple-header. Not too far away for the toss between Zimbabwe v Oman. We have already started our coverage of that game. We wrap up things here for this one. See you on the Zimbabwe v Oman game. Bye.

Richie Berrington | Scotland captain: "Yeah, obviously, really important for us to bounce back strong today and put in a strong performance. But yeah, just really pleased to get our first win of the tournament. I think in the end, it was a pretty comprehensive win, but we knew we were going to have to work really hard for it. And I think really important that we got over 200 in that first innings on what was a very good wicket. (on Munsey) Yeah, look, he's such an important player for us at the top of the order. He always sets the tempo and he's certainly a hard batsman to bowl at when he gets going. We've seen him do it many times. So great to see him in form at the moment. And yeah, that partnership was so important up top after being put into bat for us to give us that platform to then accelerate towards the back-end of that innings. (on their finishing) Yeah, it was really pleasing to see after the previous game that we nailed that area today. As I said, we knew it was going to be important that we got over 200 today on that pitch. So yeah, great to see guys come out and play well in that phase of the game. (their bowling) Yeah, I think for me, obviously, we knew they've got a lot of good players through the lineup. I think getting those early wickets in the powerplay was key. Just put us on the front foot a little bit. But then we saw then when they got a partnership going on that pitch, it can be hard to defend. So I was just really pleased the way the bowlers stuck to the plans. And we managed to keep creating those opportunities. And we managed to pick up a couple of quick wickets there, which was really important in defending that score. (on their upcoming games) Yeah, look, I think it's great that we've had two outings here now at Eden Gardens, just to get a feel for the conditions, two different wickets as well. But both pretty good, to be honest. But yeah, we'll enjoy this win and then we've got a few days to start preparing for that big game against England. (is the rust off now?) Yeah, look, I think the guys have really embraced it coming into this tournament. We've had a really good prep since we've been here. And the confidence is really high in the group. There's a lot of positive energy around. And obviously a win today will help that as well. So as I say, we know we're going to have to prepare well again this week for that game on Saturday."

Harry Manenti | Italy vice-captain: "Yeah, Wayne obviously had a tough fall in that powerplay there and hit the deck and we believe dislocated his shoulder. So, obviously more to come with that and hopefully he's alright. And, Wayne's obviously our leader. He's played for a long time and was so deserving to show the world his abilities. So that's probably the sad thing for him personally and for us as a team, not to be able to see that shown on the world stage. (challenges of bowling first on that surface) Yeah, obviously that was a good total. We thought going into the break that they probably got me just above par, around par. So if we batted well and gave ourselves a chance to capitalise on that powerplay and kick on from there, we backed ourselves to chase it. Obviously once you lose a few wickets it's always tough and then it's just one of those totals that you need things to go right for you and it wasn't to be today. (on the chase) I think when you're chasing 200, you've got to go pretty hard and there's going to be times where it doesn't come off and there's going to be wickets and it's the high-risk cricket and that's T20 cricket. And when you're playing against a quality outfit like Scotland, who keep themselves in the game for as long as they can, it obviously can happen when you lose one, you can lose a few quickly. So we're understanding of trying to build a partnership through that middle period and hopefully back-end it with some power at the back. (on playing with his brother) Yeah, that was pretty special. Probably didn't quite take it for what it was when we were out there just because we were so caught up in the game situation trying to win it. But hopefully we'll sit down at some stage and reflect on that little partnership that we had and it would have been nice to contribute to a win there, would have been what we were both wanting and we are pretty frustrated coming off the two of us. But yeah, it was special, obviously growing up and playing backyard cricket with him, batting together, and as young kids, then dreaming of being at a World Cup batting together and we've got to live that out today. (how are the guys feeling right now?) Yeah, I imagine they'll be pretty flat in the changerooms right now, and a little bit disappointed. We wanted to show the world what we had and win our first couple of games and really put some pressure on this competition. Obviously not to be today and it doesn't mean we're out. And that's the beauty of this cricket. We get another chance in a few days' time against a strong Nepal team and hopefully we can bounce back and get them in three days' time."

Michael Leask | Player of the Match: "For me, it was just the full team performance today. Look, it's been a lot of hard work coming into this tour. We obviously hadn't had the prep time, but it just shows how much dedication we've got to what we've done. Look, we trained hard and obviously I know the guys are going to give me stick by bowling at right-handers, but getting three of their right-handers out probably was the most important. (on his knock) Similar to the day I played against West Indies. Look if it's in my arc, it's got to go. It's my job. It's what I've always done for this team. I wear my heart on my sleeve and I play that same way on the field. If the first ball's there, I'll try and hit it for six and today was no different. (on his bowling) Yeah, look, we learned a lot from game one. It was just a little bit more back of a length, a little bit more into the surface. Today, obviously, being the day match, it gave me a little bit more assistance, a little bit more spin and stop. So, just driving it into that surface and trying to shut off one side of the field was really important. And then, obviously, it got a little bit lucky at times, but yeah, it's nice when days go like that. Yeah, look, you're always just proud to represent Scotland at any chance we get. And this is no different. We've still got two more matches to go and get ourselves through to that Super 8s. And we've given ourselves a wonderful chance by doing that today."

Biggest win for an associate team in T20 WCs (by runs)
80 - NEP vs HK, Chattogram, 2014
73 - SCO vs ITA, Kolkata, 2026*
59 - AFG vs ZIM, Nagpur, 2016
55 - NAM vs SL, Geelong, 2022

Best figures for an associate bowler in T20 WCs
5/19 - Ahsan Malik (NED) vs SA, Chattogram, 2014
4/11 - Paul van Meekeren (NED) vs IRE, Dharamsala, 2016
4/17 - Michael Leask (SCO) vs ITA, Kolkata, 2026*
4/18 - Alex Cusack (IRE) vs SL, Lord’s, 2009
4/18 - Josh Davey (SCO) vs PNG, Al Amerat, 2021

14:03 Local Time, 08:33 GMT, 14:03 IST: A convincing win for Scotland. Inserted to bat, they posted their highest T20 World Cup total on the board. George Munsey rode his luck and laid the foundation with a 54-ball 84. Brandon McMullen played a gem - an innings filled with eye-pleasing strokes - for his 18-ball 41*. And then, Leask's 5-ball 22* provided the perfect finish as Scotland went past 200. In reply, Italy lost a wicket off the very first ball - Justin Mosca falling to Leask. JJ Smuts came out all guns blazing. While he went after Wheal, the aggressive batter's innings was cut short by Currie's slower ball. Anthony Mosca fell in the very next over and at 40/3, the Manenti brothers joined hands. They kept their team in the hunt with a 73-run stand. Leask returned to break that threatening partnership. Ben Manenti notched up a 29-ball fifty but he fell immediately after that and things innings unravelled quickly for the WC debutants post that. Leask picked two wickets in his final over to finish with impressive figures of 4/17 and Italy fell short by 73 runs.

Brad Wheal to Ali Hasan, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Mark Watt to Thomas Draca, THATS OUT!! Caught!!