Scotland vs Italy T20 World Cup 2026: Match Prediction, Playing XI, Pitch & Weather Report

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 continues to deliver exciting contests between emerging cricketing nations, and one such high-stakes clash awaits fans when Scotland face Italy in Match No. 7 of Group C. The Scotland vs Italy T20 World Cup 2026 match will be played at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Monday, February 9, with both teams eyeing crucial early points.

For Scotland, this match represents an opportunity to bounce back after a difficult start, while Italy, the debutants, will look to prove that their qualification and warm-up performances were no fluke. With contrasting styles, experience versus momentum, this encounter promises intrigue.

Scotland vs Italy T20 World Cup 2026 – Match Details

Match	Scotland vs Italy – Match 7
Tournament	ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
Date	Monday, February 9, 2026
Time	11:00 AM IST
Venue	Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Group	Group C
Live Telecast	Star Sports Network
Live Streaming	JioHotstar

Context of the Match: Why This Game Matters

The Scotland vs Italy T20 World Cup 2026 clash could play a defining role in Group C standings. Scotland have already faced tournament heavyweights West Indies, while Italy enter the competition fresh after impressive warm-up victories.

Scotland need points to keep qualification hopes alive
Italy want to capitalise on momentum and make history on debut

A win here could set the tone for the rest of the group campaign.

Team Analysis: Scotland (SCO)

The Scotland vs Italy T20 World Cup 2026 match is a must-win for Richie Berrington’s men. Their campaign began with a 35-run loss to the West Indies, exposing familiar frailties. While they possess T20 World Cup experience, their recent form is a concern, having lost their last three T20Is.

Applying the finishing touches 🙌#T20WorldCup 🔜 pic.twitter.com/WmkCacRVpm
— Cricket Scotland (@CricketScotland) February 6, 2026

Current Form –

Scotland arrive at this match after losing their opening World Cup game against West Indies by 35 runs. While the result was disappointing, there were positives in the middle order.

Recent Results (T20Is):

Lost vs West Indies
Lost previous two T20Is
Struggling for consistency at the top

Key Performers So Far –

Top Run Scorer: Richie Berrington – 42 runs
Top Wicket Taker: Bradley Currie – 2 wickets

Strengths –

Core of Experience: Players like captain Richie Berrington, the explosive George Munsey, and the crafty spinner Mark Watt have been on this stage before.
Batting Firepower: Munsey at the top and all-rounders like Michael Leask and Brandon McMullen can take any attack apart on their day.
Spin Arsenal: The conditions at Eden Gardens could favor their spin duo of Mark Watt and Chris Greaves in the middle overs.

Weaknesses –

Top-Order Fragility: Their collapse to 37/3 against the Windies is a glaring issue. They need a solid platform.
Death Bowling: Leaking runs at the death against the West Indies was costly. Safyaan Sharif and Bradley Currie need to execute better.
Handling Pressure: The weight of expectation after a loss can be heavy. How they manage nerves will be key.

Team Analysis: Italy (ITA)

Italy’s journey to this Scotland vs Italy T20 World Cup 2026 match is a story of inspiration. Led by the experienced Wayne Madsen, their squad is a blend of seasoned T20 globetrotters and passionate homegrown talent. They enter with confidence from convincing warm-up wins against UAE and Canada.

Warm-Up Performances –

Beat UAE convincingly
Dominated Canada
Batting unit looked fluent and fearless

Leadership –

Captain: Wayne Madsen
Calm presence, tactical awareness
Strong influence in pressure moments

Strengths –

The “X-Factor” of Debut: Unburdened by past World Cup scars, they can play with fearless freedom.
Proven T20 Pedigree: Players like JJ Smuts (South Africa), Wayne Madsen (Derbyshire), Grant Stewart, and the Manenti brothers (Harry and Ben) bring vast franchise cricket experience.
Balanced Attack: They possess a mix of pace (Stewart, Jaspreet Singh) and crafty spin (Harry Manenti, Crishan Kalugamage) to exploit conditions.

Weaknesses –

Big-Match Inexperience: Playing at a packed Eden Gardens in a World Cup is a different beast compared to qualifiers or warm-ups.
Batting Depth: Over-reliance on a few key batters like the Moscas (Anthony and Justin), Madsen, and Smuts could be a risk.
Fielding Under Pressure: The intensity of fielding in a tight World Cup match can test any new unit.

Scotland vs Italy Head-to-Head Record:

Matches Played	Scotland Wins	Italy Wins	No Result
2	1	1	0

The Scotland vs Italy T20 World Cup 2026 matchup is perfectly balanced historically, adding more spice to this contest.

Pitch Report: Eden Gardens, Kolkata

Eden Gardens is known for producing exciting T20 matches.

Pitch Characteristics –

True bounce early in the innings
Good carry for stroke play
Spinners get assistance later

Recent Stats at Eden Gardens (T20s) –

Batting first wins: 6
Bowling first wins: 5

📌 Ideal Strategy: Bat first and apply scoreboard pressure.

Weather Report: SCO vs ITA

Temperature: Around 25°C
Conditions: Sunny morning
Rain: 0% chance
Humidity: Moderate

✅ Weather will not affect the Scotland vs Italy T20 World Cup 2026 match.

Probable Playing XIs:

Scotland: George Munsey, Michael Jones, Brandon McMullen, Richie Berrington (c), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross (wk), Michael Leask, Chris Greaves, Mark Watt, Safyaan Sharif, Bradley Currie.

Italy: Anthony Mosca, Justin Mosca, Wayne Madsen (c), JJ Smuts, Marcus Campopiano, Gian-Piero Meade (wk), Harry Manenti, Grant Stewart, Jaspreet Singh, Ali Hasan, Crishan Kalugamage.

Players to Watch Out For

George Munsey (Scotland)

179 runs in last 5 T20I innings
Two recent half-centuries
Excellent boundary-hitting ability

Richie Berrington (Scotland)

Backbone of Scottish batting
Strike rate above 170 in the tournament

JJ Smuts (Italy)

Experienced all-rounder
Smart variations with the ball
Match-winner potential

Grant Stewart (Italy)

Wicket-taker at crucial moments
Strong lower-order hitter

Toss Prediction: Scotland vs Italy

Toss Trends at Eden Gardens

Last 3 T20s: Toss winners chose to bowl
Overall success rate evenly split

📌 Toss Prediction: Italy to win the toss

Match Scenarios:

Scenario 1

Toss: Scotland bowl first
Italy Score: 130–150
Winner: Scotland

Scenario 2

Toss: Italy bowl first
Scotland Score: 155–175
Winner: Scotland

Statistical Comparison

Category	Scotland	Italy
World Cup Experience	High	Low
Batting Depth	Moderate	Strong
Bowling Variety	Strong Spin	Balanced
Pressure Handling	Better	Unproven

Scotland vs Italy Match Prediction: Analysis and Scenarios

Making a definitive Scotland vs Italy match prediction is challenging due to the unpredictable nature of associate cricket and Italy’s unknown quality at this level. However, a balanced analysis points to a slight edge.

Scenario 1: Scotland Wins the Toss & Bats First

Powerplay (1-6): 45-55 runs. Munsey and Jones look to set a foundation.
Middle Overs (7-15): Berrington and McMullen consolidate, targeting 90-100 runs in this phase.
Death Overs (16-20): Leask and Bruce provide the final flourish.
Projected Score: 165-175.
Italy’s Chase: The experienced Scottish bowling attack, led by Watt and Sharif, applies consistent pressure. Italy fights but falls short by 15-20 runs.
Predicted Winner: Scotland.

Scenario 2: Italy Wins the Toss & Bats First

Powerplay: 40-50 runs. The Moscas look to attack.
Middle Overs: Madsen and Smuts anchor, but Watt and Greaves restrict flow.
Death Overs: Stewart and Manenti add valuable runs.
Projected Score: 150-160.
Scotland’s Chase: Scotland’s superior batting depth and experience see them home, potentially with an over or two to spare, albeit with some nervous moments.
Predicted Winner: Scotland.

Final Verdict: While Italy possesses the talent and momentum to cause a major upset, Scotland’s greater experience in World Cup environments and their more balanced, battle-hardened squad gives them a 60/40 advantage. Expect a close, competitive match, but Scotland is predicted to secure two vital points.

Our Prediction: Scotland to win.

Fantasy Cricket & Betting Insights (For Entertainment Purposes)

Top Batter Picks: George Munsey (SCO), Wayne Madsen (ITA), Richie Berrington (SCO)
Top Bowler Picks: Mark Watt (SCO), Grant Stewart (ITA), Bradley Currie (SCO)
All-Rounder Picks: JJ Smuts (ITA), Michael Leask (SCO)
Player of the Match Contender: George Munsey. If he gets going on a track he knows, he could play a match-defining knock.

FAQs: Scotland vs Italy T20 World Cup 2026

Q1: Where can I watch the Scotland vs Italy T20 World Cup 2026 match live?
A: In India, the match will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network. Digital streaming is available on JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar.

Q2: What time does the SCO vs ITA match start?
A: The match begins at 11:00 AM Indian Standard Time (IST) on Monday, February 9, 2026.

Q3: Have Scotland and Italy ever played each other in a T20 World Cup before?
A: No. This will be their first-ever meeting in an ICC T20 World Cup tournament, adding to the historic nature of the contest.

Q4: Who is the captain of the Italian team for the T20 World Cup 2026?
A: The Italian team is captained by the experienced Wayne Madsen, who has had a long and successful career in English county cricket with Derbyshire.

Q5: Is this Italy’s first appearance in an ICC global event?
A: Yes. The Scotland vs Italy T20 World Cup 2026 match marks Italy’s historic debut in an ICC World Cup across any format (ODI or T20I).

Final Verdict:

The Scotland vs Italy T20 World Cup 2026 clash represents a classic battle between experience and ambition. Scotland need this win to stabilise their campaign, while Italy are eager to announce themselves on the global stage.

If Scotland handle pressure moments better, they should come out on top. But if Italy’s all-rounders fire, an upset is very much possible.

📌 Final Scotland vs Italy Match Prediction:
👉 Scotland to win a close contest

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