The Scotland vs Italy T20 World Cup clash takes place on February 9, 2026, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Starting at 11:00 AM IST, this Group C “grudge match” features Scotland (World Cup replacement for Bangladesh) seeking revenge for their 2025 qualifier loss to Italy.
Live score updates for SCO vs ITA at Eden Gardens will be broadcast on Star Sports Network and JioHotstar, coinciding with Italy’s World Cup cricket debut against the team that eliminated them seven months prior.
The irony cuts deep. Scotland lost to Italy by 12 runs in the 2025 European Final. Now they share Group C only because Bangladesh withdrew. This is a clash between the team that earned its spot and the team given a second chance.
Table of Contents
When, Where & How to Watch Scotland vs Italy Match
- When: Monday, February 9, 2026 | 11:00 AM IST (05:30 AM GMT)
- Where: Eden Gardens, Kolkata, India
- Broadcast: Star Sports Network and JioHotstar
- Tournament: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Match 7 of 55
- Group: Group C (with West Indies, England, and Nepal)
Eden Gardens holds 66,000 fans. Early sales show just 348 tickets sold as of February 7. While the historic Eden Gardens stands may appear cavernous with only 348 tickets sold, the tension on the pitch will be anything but quiet.
A debate has arisen concerning Eden Gardens’ attendance for T20 World Cup games with associate nations, given the venue’s large size.
The Grudge: July 2025 Revenge Story
On July 9, 2025, Italy posted 167/6 against Scotland’s 155/5 in the European Regional Final. They won by 12 runs.
Harry Manenti’s 5 wickets vs Scotland—his devastating 5/31—destroyed the Scottish batting order and crushed their World Cup dreams. His all-round brilliance, with Emilio Gay’s explosive 21-ball 50, turned expectations upside down.
Scotland ranked 15th in the ICC T20 standings. Italy ranked 27th. Scotland were the favorites. Their failure seemed final until Bangladesh’s withdrawal opened an unexpected door.
The replacement narrative haunts Scotland’s preparation. Social media debates rage about whether they deserve this chance over nations like Namibia or Zimbabwe.
Form Guide & Recent Results
The two teams face off on Monday, February 9, 2026, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
- Italy (W-W-W-L-W): Italy has been the surprise package of the early season. Following a successful tri-series in Dubai where they recorded their first-ever T20I win over Ireland (by 4 wickets on January 26), they dominated their World Cup warm-ups.
- Recent Highlight: Defeated Canada by 10 runs in Chennai on February 2, followed by a massive 112-run victory over the UAE on February 6.
- Scotland (L-L-W-W-L): Scotland enters the match under pressure after losing their opening World Cup fixture to the West Indies by 35 runs on February 7. Despite the loss, captain Richie Berrington (42 off 24) showed strong personal form.
Head-to-Head Comparison (T20 2026)
| Stat | Scotland | Italy |
|---|---|---|
| Last Match | Lost to West Indies (Feb 7) | Beat UAE (Feb 6 – Warm-up) |
| Key Player | Richie Berrington (Batsman) | Harry Manenti (All-rounder) |
| Top Performer | Bradley Currie (2-23 vs WI) | Anthony Mosca (56 runs vs UAE) |
| Tournament Status | 0 Wins, 1 Loss | Debut Match (Upcoming) |
Top 3 Player Stats to Watch
| Player | Role | Key T20I Stat | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Munsey | Opener | 144.07 Strike Rate | Scotland’s leading T20I run-scorer with 2,321 career runs. |
| Harry Manenti | All-rounder | 5/31 Best Bowling | Tournament record for Italy; took these figures against Scotland in July 2025. |
| Mark Watt | Spinner | 7.02 Economy Rate | Scotland’s leading T20I wicket-taker (89 wickets). |
Note: Stats updated as of February 2026.
Key Players: The Match-Winners
Wayne Madsen: The Dual-Sport World Cup Captain
At 42, Wayne Madsen’s two-sport World Cup story is unique. The Italian captain represented England in field hockey at the World Cup level before finding his calling in cricket. Now, with 253 first-class appearances for Derbyshire County Cricket Club, he brings invaluable experience to Italy’s debutants.
His technique against spin will be tested on the Eden Gardens’ black soil pitch, known for offering significant purchase for finger spinners. Madsen’s ability to construct innings gives Italy the stability they need. His captaincy experience in English county cricket positions him to make tactical adjustments under pressure.
The Manenti Brothers: Australia’s Gift to Italian Cricket
Harry Manenti’s 5 wickets vs Scotland remains the defining performance that propelled Italy to this stage. The all-rounder scored a run-a-ball 38 alongside his five-wicket haul in July 2025. He embodies Italy’s blend of Australian domestic professionalism and Italian heritage.
Benjamin Manenti completes this formidable duo. Ben’s Sheffield Shield title with South Australia last season and Big Bash League experience make him a potent spin option.
Together, the Manenti brothers represent Italy’s strategic advantage. Italy cricket, Australians bring elite domestic experience to the Associate cricket level.
Their variations, particularly Harry’s quick leg breaks and Ben’s off-spin, could exploit the surface’s characteristics. Eden Gardens offers 14% more turn in the second innings under lights, potentially favoring Italy’s spin-heavy attack.
George Munsey: Scotland’s Powerhouse
Scotland needs George Munsey’s explosive starts. Data reveals Scotland maintains a 70% win rate when Munsey scores 40+ in the power play. His prolific use of the reverse-sweep will be vital against Italy’s spinners on a turning surface.
Brandon McMullen, at 26, has evolved into Scotland’s premier power-hitter. His multiple fifties against top-tier opposition like Australia prove he handles pressure. McMullen’s ability to accelerate in death overs while maintaining strike rotation makes him Scotland’s X-factor.
Captain Richie Berrington has a T20I century to his name. His 42 T20I appearances dwarf Italy’s collective World Cup experience, giving Scotland a mental edge in high-pressure moments.
Mark Watt: Approaching 100 T20I Wickets
Mark Watt approaches his 100th T20I wicket milestone. His left-arm orthodox variations create persistent problems in the middle overs. His arm ball and drift-and-turn deliveries trouble batsmen unfamiliar with sustained pressure at this level. Against Italy’s debutants, Watt could prove decisive.
Michael Leask adds the firepower Scotland requires in death overs. His slower-ball variations and boundary-hitting ability matter in tight finishes.
Pitch Report and Tactical Preview: Spin vs Power
Eden Gardens’ black soil pitch historically favors teams exploiting the powerplay with aggressive intent, then controlling middle overs through spin. The surface offers significant purchase for finger-spinners.
The Kolkata humidity affects swing bowling, reducing conventional movement while enhancing reverse swing in the final overs.
Italy’s Tactical Approach:
Coach Kevin O’Brien, who scored the then-fastest World Cup century (50 balls) for Ireland against England in 2011, understands tournament cricket’s demands. His game plan likely revolves around:
- Restricting Scotland’s power play through disciplined corridor-of-uncertainty lines from Grant Stewart and Thomas Draca
- Deploying the Manenti brothers during the 7-14 over phase to induce a top-order collapse
- Relying on JJ Smuts’ explosive batting and left-arm orthodox spin for dual impact
- Using Zain Ali’s towering presence as a pace-off option when batsmen look to accelerate
Scotland’s Counter-Strategy:
Berrington’s experience suggests:
- Munsey and McMullen are targeting Italy’s new-ball bowlers before spin is introduced
- Mark Watt and Chris Greaves are maintaining a stranglehold through the middle overs
- Exploiting Italy’s inexperience under scoreboard pressure with aggressive field placements
- Safyaan Sharif and Bradley Wheal are using back-of-a-length deliveries in the death overs
The Associate Cricket Narrative: Beyond the Result
This match transcends the scoreboard. It represents the growth trajectory of Associate cricket, where nations outside traditional powerhouses challenge the established hierarchy.
Italy’s squad composition—featuring Pakistani-born Zain Ali, Hassan Ali, and Syed Naqvi alongside Indian-raised Jaspreet Singh and players with Australian, South African, and English backgrounds—embodies modern cricket’s globalized reality.
Critics question whether Australians truly represent the Italian cricket development. This mirrors Ireland’s 2007 World Cup squad, which included several Australian and South African-born players who legitimized Irish cricket globally. The difference lies in domestic infrastructure.
“There’s passion for cricket in Italy,” O’Brien said. “The Federation works in schools. They take cricket to the grassroots level. You might not see results for 10 years. But this World Cup can be a springboard.”
The Crishan Kalugamage Story
Crishan Kalugamage stands apart from Italy’s diaspora-heavy squad. The Sri Lankan-born leg spinner moved to Tuscany at 15. He initially pursued athletics, training with Olympic gold medallist Marcell Jacobs in the long jump.
When he discovered cricket again through the Roma Cricket Club, he faced a 700-kilometer round-trip from Lucca, where he works as a pizza chef.
“I lost many jobs playing cricket in Italy,” Kalugamage revealed. “Sunday is the busiest restaurant day. When I asked to leave for cricket, they said no. But I left my job and played cricket.”
His development as an international leg spinner on synthetic pitches—typically used only for junior and recreational cricket—showcases remarkable talent. O’Brien considers him a potential trump card. His quick leg breaks and googlies offer something unique on Eden Gardens’ turning surface.
Kalugamage cried when Italy secured qualification. He represents the grassroots passion that could transform Italian cricket if this World Cup exposure sparks youth interest. “Cricket is my life,” he stated simply in Italian—Il cricket è la mia vita.
Complete Squad Analysis
Scotland Squad:
Richie Berrington (c), 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, Bradley Wheal.
Scotland’s squad depth includes first-class experience from players like Matthew Cross and the raw pace of Bradley Currie. Their bench strength allows tactical flexibility mid-tournament.
Italy Squad:
Wayne Madsen (c), Marcus Campopiano, Gian Piero Meade, Zain Ali, Hassan Ali, Crishan Jorge Kalugamage, Harry Manenti, Anthony Mosca, Justin Mosca, Syed Naqvi, Benjamin Manenti, Jaspreet Singh, JJ Smuts, Grant Stewart, Thomas Draca.
Italy counters with the Mosca brothers (Justin and Anthony), providing additional all-around options. JJ Smuts, at 37, recently qualified through his wife’s Italian heritage. He brings T20 franchise circuit experience. His explosive top-order batting and left-arm orthodox spin offer dual threats.
Match Predictions
Toss Impact: Batting first allows setting a target while negating the dew factor. Chasing under lights at Eden Gardens increases spin effectiveness by approximately 14%, favoring the team with superior spin depth—potentially Italy.
X-Factor: The sparse crowd might actually benefit Italy. Playing before limited spectators reduces pressure on debutants while potentially unsettling Scotland, who expected a more charged atmosphere.
Likely Outcome: Scotland enters as the favorites based on ranking, experience, and the fact that they’ve already played a match. However, Italy’s recent form, specific matchup advantages with spin bowling, and burning desire to validate their qualification create a genuine 60-40 split favoring Scotland.
If Italy posts 150+ on this surface, their spin attack could defend it. If Scotland’s top three fire, their depth should see them home. The margin will be narrow.
Group C Implications: The Road to Super Eight
Group C features Nepal, the West Indies, and England alongside Scotland and Italy. The top two progress to the Super Eight phase. While West Indies and England appear strong favorites, the battle for that second qualification spot could involve all five teams.
Italy’s opening fixture against Scotland sets their tournament tone. Victory would announce their credentials and pile pressure on Scotland, who face additional fixtures against stronger opponents. Conversely, a Scotland win validates their replacement status and builds momentum.
This is a Group C fixture that could determine which associate nation advances alongside the traditional powerhouses, making it crucial for both teams’ tournament aspirations.
FAQ: Everything You Need to Know
Why is Scotland playing in the 2026 T20 World Cup?
Scotland is playing as the replacement for Bangladesh, who withdrew from the tournament citing security concerns in India. Despite losing to Italy in the 2025 European qualifiers, Scotland received a last-minute berth when Bangladesh pulled out.
Has Italy ever played in a Cricket World Cup before?
No, 2026 marks Italy’s historic T20 World Cup debut. This is the first time Italy has qualified for any ICC Cricket World Cup in any format.
Where can I watch Scotland vs Italy live?
In India, watch on Star Sports Network or stream on JioHotstar. UK viewers can watch on Sky Sports Cricket. International viewers should check their local ICC broadcast partners.
What time does the Scotland vs Italy match start?
The match starts at 11:00 AM IST (05:30 AM GMT) on Monday, February 9, 2026.
What happened when Scotland played Italy in 2025?
Italy defeated Scotland by 12 runs in the European Regional Final on July 9, 2025. Harry Manenti took 5/31 as Italy posted 167/6 and restricted Scotland to 155/5.
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