Eden Gardens witnessed a record-breaking spectacle on Monday as Scotland dismantled debutants Italy by 73 runs in the T20 World Cup 2026. The match produced three new milestones for Associate nations, highlighting their rising stature in international cricket.
Scotland’s innings was a masterclass in aggressive T20 batting. Despite losing the toss, they raced to 207/4, shattering the Associate nations’ highest T20 World Cup score record previously set by USA’s 197/3 against Canada. Munsey’s 84 anchored the innings, with contributions from McMullen (41), Jones (37), and Leask (22) pushing the total beyond imagination.
Italy struggled from the outset in their reply. Michael Leask’s mesmerizing spell of 4/17 – the third-best by any Associate bowler in T20 World Cups – triggered a collapse. Only able to muster 134 all out, Italy handed Scotland the second-biggest win by runs for an Associate side, eclipsed only by Nepal’s 80-run victory over Hong Kong back in 2014.
Leask’s figures rank just behind Dutch duo Ahsan Malik’s 5/19 and Paul van Meekeren’s 4/11. For Italy, it was a harsh introduction to World Cup cricket, but Scotland’s performance was a testament to their preparation and talent.
As the tournament progresses, expect more surprises from underdogs like these, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.