T20 World Cup: Scotland outplay Italy by 73 runs

(Web Desk) – Scotland defeated Italy by 73 runs in the seventh match of T20 World Cup in Kolkata’s Eden Gardens on Monday.

Chasing a target of 208, Italy were bowled out for 134 in 16.4 overs. Benjamin Manenti scored 52 runs, Harry Manenti contributed 37, and JJ Smuts 22. Four batsmen were out for nought while seven failed to reach double figure.

AFP adds: A nation better known for its football, Italy are cricket minnows and the lowest-ranked side in the 20-team tournament.

Chasing a mammoth 208 for victory, Italy suffered early blows before a valiant fourth-wicket partnership of 73 between 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.

Captain Wayne Madsen could not bat after he badly injured his shoulder while fielding

For Scotland, off spinner Michael Leask took four wickets for 17 runs while Mark Watt claimed two for 24.

Scotland captain 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.

"We knew they had good players in the line-up. Early wickets were key and it put us on the front foot."

Earlier, opener George Munsey helped Scotland broke the 200-run barrier in the ongoing T20 World Cup against Italy with a swashbuckling 84 when they scored 207 losing four wickets in their quota of 20 overs.

Playing their first-ever match in any ICC mega event, Italy won the toss and put Scots in to bat. Openers Munsey and Michael Jones hammered the hapless Italians and put on 126 runs in 14 overs. Munsey hit 13 fours and two sixes in his knock on 54 balls.

Jones scored 37 runs with the help of a four and two sixes on 30 balls.

Brandon McMullen also played a devastating knock as he hit 41 off 18 balls with the help of four sixes. His unbeaten innings did not include a four.

Skipper Richie Berrington contributed 15 runs and Michael Leask 22 not out off five balls, hitting two fours and as many sixes.

The left-handed Munsey started briskly with a flurry of fours to unsettle the Italy 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 with what looked like a dislocated shoulder.

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.

For Italy, Ali Hassan, Grant Stewart, Thomas Draca, and JJ Smuts took one wicket each.

ZIMBABWE VS OMAN

In the second match of the day, Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to bowl against Oman at Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground in Sri Lanka capital Colombo.

The third match of the day will see Canada take on South Africa at 6:30 pm.