Italy
Scotland
Scotland will face Italy in Match 7 of the T20 World Cup 2026 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. This Group C clash will feature two emerging European sides looking to build early momentum in the tournament.
Richie Berrington will lead Scotland, while Wayne Madsen will captain Italy. Both teams will aim to strengthen their position in the group with a strong performance.
Recent form suggests a balanced contest. Scotland and Italy have both won 2 of their last 5 T20I matches, showing similar consistency levels. Italy will enter this game after losing their recent T20I series against Ireland 2-1.
Head-to-head history remains even, with one win each from their two previous meetings in 2023 and 2025, and both victories coming while defending targets.
Scotland’s top order has stronger recent form and has produced the highest individual scorer in both previous meetings, making them more likely to deliver the standout batter again.
The betting tip is...
Top Batter’s Team - Scotland
61 %
39 %
ItalyScotlandItaly will rely heavily on their experienced core as they prepare for this Group C clash. Captain Wayne Madsen will lead the batting unit and will aim to provide stability at the top. Anthony Mosca will be another key batter and will look to support the middle order with consistency.
Harry Manenti and Grant Stewart will play crucial all-rounder roles and will contribute with both bat and ball. Manenti will bring strong recent form, scoring 229 runs in his last 10 matches at an average of 28.63 and a strike rate of 108.01, while also taking 13 wickets at a 6.96 economy rate.
Justin Mosca will add aggressive batting depth with 223 runs in his last 10 matches at a strike rate of 158.15. Crishan Jorge Kalugamage will lead the bowling attack after taking 15 wickets in nine matches at a 6.25 economy rate. Grant Stewart will remain a key bowling option.
Manenti, Stewart and Justin are the key players.
Predicted Lineup: Anthony Mosca, Justin Mosca, Wayne Madsen (c), Harry Manenti, Gian Piero Meade (wk), Grant Stewart, Marcus Campopiano, Jaspreet Singh, Ali Hasan, Crishan Kalugamage, Thomas Draca/JJ Smuts
George Munsey will remain Scotland’s key batter and will look to control the innings at the top. He will carry a strong form, scoring 296 runs in his last 10 matches at a strike rate of 150.25.
Munsey will also bring positive memories after scoring 66 off 53 balls in the 2022 win. Brandon McMullen will support the batting unit with 266 runs in his last 10 matches at a strike rate of 137.82.
Richie Berrington and Matthew Cross will add stability and depth in the middle order. Tom Bruce will strengthen the lineup after switching allegiance from New Zealand, where he played 17 T20Is between 2017 and 2020.
Scotland’s bowling attack will rely on Michael Leask and Mark Watt, who picked 2/15 and 3/12 respectively in a previous win against the West Indies. Chris Greaves and Safyaan Sharif will provide additional bowling support.
Munsey, McMullen and Leask are the players.
Predicted Lineup: George Munsey, Michael Jones, Brandon McMullen, Richie Berrington (c), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross (wk), Michael Leask, Chris Greaves, Mark Watt, Safyaan Sharif, Bradley Wheal
Scotland will start this match as favourites because of their experience at the T20 World Cup level. Their players have faced stronger opposition regularly, which will help them handle pressure situations better than Italy, which will be playing their first World Cup.
Scotland’s batting lineup looks stronger and more reliable, especially with players like George Munsey and Brandon McMullen in good form.
In the previous two meetings between these sides, Scotland produced the highest scorer, with Munsey making 72 and McMullen scoring 96.
That trend is likely to continue given their batting depth and familiarity with big-match conditions. Italy will compete with their all-round strength, but Scotland’s top-order quality should give them the edge in key batting moments.
