Italy, who made their T20 World Cup debut, had a brutal start to cricket’s grandest platform on Monday when they lost to Scotland by 73 runs in Kolkata.
With opener George Munsey leading the way with 84, Scotland amassed 207-4. In response, Italy was bowled out for 134 in 16.4 overs. Scotland’s off-spinner Michael Leask added an unbeaten 22 off five balls to his bowling figures of 4-17.
Italy, a country more famous for its football, is the 20-team tournament’s bottom-ranked team, and were making history in the tournament. They took early hits while chasing a massive 208 for win, but they managed to stay afloat at Eden Gardens thanks to a heroic fourth-wicket stand of 73 from brothers Ben and Harry Manenti, who were born in Australia.
However, as the Italian batting collapsed from 113-3, Ben was dismissed after his 31-ball 52 and Harry left for 37.
South Africa-born Italy captain Wayne Madsen may miss the remainder of the competition after dislocating his shoulder during fielding, which prevented him from batting.
With just two weeks remaining, Scotland, who had initially failed to qualify for the World Cup, replaced Bangladesh, who had been eliminated for refusing to play in India.
Italy won the toss and bowled first in the Group C match. Scotland scored the best total in the tournament thus far thanks to a 126-run opening partnership between Munsey and Michael Jones, who struck 37.
Scotland reached their highest-ever T20 World Cup total thanks to an undefeated 18-ball 41 from Brandon McMullen and two fours and two sixes in the final five balls from Leask. In the first six overs of the powerplay, Munsey, who is left-handed, got off to a fast start by hitting a string of fours to disrupt the Italian attack.
In the fourth over, Madsen was trying to stop a boundary when he fell awkwardly and went off the field, writhing in pain, dealing a blow to Italy. According to Italy coach John Davison, his shoulder has been realigned by the physiotherapist, but he will have scans and is “doubtful” for the remainder of the competition.
On Monday, the skipper nevertheless accomplished an uncommon World Cup double by representing two different nations in two different sports. He represented his home country of South Africa at the field hockey World Cup, but because of his lineage, he currently possesses an Italian passport.
After Anthony Mosca dropped him at 40, Munsey hit a six to reach 50 in 30 balls. Munsey holed out to long-on off-pace bowler Grant Stewart, missing out on a hundred.
After Scotland lost their opening match against the West Indies, he led them to their first group victory with a 54-ball knock that included 13 fours and two sixes.
