T20 World Cup debutants Italy had a bruising introduction to cricket’s biggest stage as they suffered a crushing 73-run loss to Scotland on Monday in Kolkata.

Scotland piled up 207-4 with opener George Munsey top-scoring with 84 and in reply, Italy were bowled out for 134 in 16.4 overs.

Off-spinner Michael Leask took 4-17 for Scotland, adding to his batting cameo of an unbeaten 22 off five balls.

A nation better known for its football, Italy are the lowest-ranked side in the 20-team tournament and were making a slice of history here.

Chasing a mammoth 208 for victory, they suffered early blows before a valiant fourth-wicket partnership of 73 between Australia-born brothers Ben and Harry Manenti kept them afloat at Eden Gardens.

But Harry departed for 37 and Ben got out after his 31-ball 52 as the Italian batting collapsed from 113-3.

“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,” said vice-captain Harry.

He called playing with his brother “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.”

South Africa-born captain Wayne Madsen could not bat after he dislocated his shoulder while fielding and might miss the rest of the tournament.

Scotland skipper Richie Berrington said it was vital for them to bounce back after losing their opening match of the tournament.

“Really pleased to get our first win. In the end it was a comprehensive win, but we had to work hard for it,” he said.

Scotland originally failed to qualify for the World Cup but with only two weeks to go, they replaced Bangladesh, who were kicked out after they refused to play in India.

Madsen heartbreak

Italy won the toss and bowled in the Group C encounter, where there were a few Italian fans decked out in the country’s blue.

Scotland rode on a 126-run opening stand between Munsey and Michael Jones, who hit 37, to post the highest total in the tournament so far.

Brandon McMullen with an unbeaten 18-ball 41 and Leask, who hit two fours and two sixes in the last five balls, took Scotland to their best T20 World Cup total.

The left-handed Munsey started briskly with a flurry of fours to unsettle Italy’s attack in the first six overs of the powerplay.

Italy suffered a blow when Madsen fell awkwardly while trying to stop a boundary in the fourth over and went off the field wincing in pain.

His shoulder has been put back in place by the physio but he will undergo scans and is “doubtful” for the rest of the tournament, Italy coach John Davison said.

The captain still completed an unusual World Cup double on Monday — playing in two different sports for two separate countries.

He played at the field hockey World Cup for his native South Africa, but holds an Italian passport now through his ancestry.

Munsey, who was dropped on 40 by Anthony Mosca, reached his fifty in 30 balls with a six.

Munsey missed out on a hundred after he holed out to long-on off pace bowler Grant Stewart.

He hit 13 fours and two sixes in his 54-ball knock to lead Scotland to their first group win, after they lost their first match to the West Indies.

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Injury-hit Australia limp into the T20 World Cup without leading fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, but Nathan Ellis says the team’s depleted attack can still carry the nation to glory.

Cummins pulled out with a back injury and Hazlewood lost a race to be fit after sustaining Achilles and hamstring injuries.

With Mitchell Starc having quit the format, Australia will be without all three of their top quicks for the first World Cup in over a decade.

Ellis, the default leader of a pace attack featuring Xavier Bartlett and Ben Dwarshuis, said the new trio would be able to cover for the loss of their more experienced teammates.

“We’ve had 18-24 months of cricket together where the big three haven’t been playing and have had big workloads in the test arena,” he told reporters on Monday.

“I actually think we work together really, really well.

“We’ve all got different skill-sets and can gel together on the night in different phases of the game.

“A squad without ‘Hoff’ (Hazlewood) and Cummo (Cummins) is a strong squad obviously, but without them I feel like we’re just as well placed to go deep.”

Ellis will go into Australia’s opener against Ireland in Colombo on Wednesday without any recent match practice, having suffered a hamstring strain bowling for the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League.

In his absence, Australia were whitewashed 3-0 in a warm-up series against Pakistan.

Ellis has been used more as a specialist death bowler than a powerplay enforcer, but conceded his role might need to change in the absence of Hazlewood.

“Obviously, you have to take each game, conditions as they come. But losing one of the better white ball bowlers in the world in Hoff, things are always going to have to change,” he said.

“My role will try to be adaptable as much as I can.”

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KARACHI: A series of spectacular goals provided the highlights as the group stage of the National Challenge Cup concluded on Sunday, with Mamsons, Pakistan Air Force, Wapda, Pakistan Army and SA Gardens securing places in the quarter-finals.

The standout moments came from Wapda’s Ali Raza, who struck an acrobatic overhead kick, and Pakistan Army’s Mohammad Rafay, whose first-time volley from a corner drew applause.

In Group ‘A’, Mamsons held Pakistan Navy to a goalless draw at the KPT Stadium to finish top of the group. Navy, needing a win to qualify, dominated possession and forced Mamsons goalkeeper Usman Ali into two early saves but failed to convert their chances. Mamsons defended resolutely in the second half to deny Navy the breakthrough.

Mamsons will face Group ‘B’ runners-up Khan Research Laboratories in the quarter-finals.

Wapda topped Group ‘B’ with a commanding 5-0 win over Hazara Coal at the KMC Stadium. Ali Raza scored a hat-trick, netting twice inside the opening six minutes before producing a stunning overhead kick from a corner. Mohammad Adeel added a third just before the interval, Ahmed Faheem struck after the restart, and Ali completed his treble in the 53rd minute. Wapda will meet Pakistan Air Force in the last eight.

Pakistan Army finished top of Group ‘C’ after defeating International Supply Company at the KPT Stadium. Rafay opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a well-taken volley. Army missed a chance to double their lead when Afzaal’s penalty was saved by Akhtar Ali, but Subhan Karim sealed the win with a breakaway goal in the 61st minute. Army now face Nimso.

In Group ‘D’, 10-man SA Gardens edged Nimso 1-0 at the KMC Stadium to claim top spot. Despite Ali Khan Niazi’s early dismissal, Shahzeb Nawaz headed home the winner in the 53rd minute. SA Gardens will take on International Supply Company in the quarter-finals.

Published in Dawn, February 9th, 2026

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