Scotland vs Italy Match Highlights & Results

One down, two to go - A fascinating start to the new week in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup and it is Scotland who get their first points on the board. Next up, there is a Group B clash between Zimbabwe and Oman lined up in Colombo. The toss is just about to happen in that game, and you can simply switch tabs and tune in to our coverage. Cheers!

Richie Berrington, the captain of Scotland - Richie Berrington says it was really important to bounce back after the loss against West Indies. It was a comprehensive performance. On George Munsey, Richie says he is an important player as he sets the tempo for them and today's partnership with Michael Jones helped to set the platform for a big score. On his bowling performance, Berrington is happy to see guys put in a great shift. Tells that early wickets in the Powerplay were key, but Italy bounced back with a couple of partnerships. Feels that they have got to know about the conditions here but are looking forward to the match against England. Reckons that the boys have embraced the chance to play the World Cup.

Harry Manenti, the stand-in captain for Italy - Harry starts by giving an update on the captain, Wayne Madsen and says that he has dislocated his left shoulder, which is not a good sign for them. Mentions that at the innings break, they thought it was a par score and if they batted well in the Powerplay, they could chase it down. Feels that you need to go hard at times when you are chasing in excess of 200 runs, and sometimes it doesn't come off. Adds that it was special batting with his brother out on the big stage and mentions that it is a dream come true for them. Ends by saying that they still have opportunities to get a win.

The captains' interviews coming up...

Player of the Match  - Michael Leask is the Player of the Match for his stellar all-round showing, cracking a 5-ball 22* and picking 4 wickets for 17. He says it was a full team performance. Tells that they have put in the hard work coming into the World Cup and have trained hard despite the limited lead-in time to the tournament. Leask notes that he was ready to attack anything within his hitting arc while emphasizing that the bowling unit had successfully applied vital lessons learned from their previous defeat against the West Indies. Adds that they got more from the surface today as compared to their previous game. Mentions that by winning today, they have given themselves a wonderful chance to qualify for the next round.

Italy's flame burned bright but quick - It is not the start Italy were looking for but they have shown sparks of brilliance. With the ball, they were a bit erratic but Ali Hasan showed great control up top and at the death as well. The likes of JJ Smuts and Grant Stewart also bowled well in patches but everyone else went for plenty of runs. With the bat, there were some positives as well, especially that partnership between Harry Manenti and Benjamin Manenti, worth 73 runs and that really kept Italy in the game. They did lose early wickets and once Ben fell after notching up a historic fifty, the wheels just came off and Italy folded like a pack of cards.

Scotland stepping up - It has been a roller-coaster of a ride for Scotland and after missing out on an entry into this T20 World Cup from the Qualifying rounds, they got a slice of luck as Bangladesh pulled out and Scotland made the cut. Today, they showed why they have been one of the most consistent associate nations, hammering 207 runs with the bat and then defending it with ease. George Munsey was prolific with the bat early on and gave his side a platform from where they could go on and score big. His 84 off 54 wasn't the only highlight of the batting innings but the cameo from Brandon McMullen, coupled with those boundaries in the final over from Michael Leask were equally important. On the bowling front, early wickets were key and it was Michael Leask, who led from the front with his four-fer. The spinners generally bowled well as Mark Watt picked up a couple of wickets as well and their catching was simply sensational as all 9 wickets were catches.

The experience of playing on the big stage - The scoreboard tells us that Scotland have completely dominated Italy in this game but it was more of a matter of playing the big moments well. Italy showed plenty of promise but the Scottish team had just too much experience in its ranks to avenge that defeat in the European Qualifiers last year.

Wayne Madsen is unfit to take any more part in the match and is given as absent hurt.Wayne Madsen is unfit to take any more part in the match and is given as absent hurt.

Brad Wheal to Ali Hasan, OUT! c Richie Berrington b Brad Wheal.OUT! TAKEN! With Wayne Madsen making no move from the dugout, it's all over for the debutants. Brad Wheal delivers it on a good length, outside off, Ali Hasan swings only to balloon up his shot to cover. Richie Berrington runs back and takes a safe catch over his shoulder. SCOTLAND WIN BY 73 RUNS.

Brad Wheal to Ali Hasan, No run.Short of a length, outside off, Hasan hangs his bat and checks his shot as he taps it to cover.

Brad Wheal to Crishan Kalugamage, 1 run.Shorter delivery, nipping back in on the hips, Kalugamage tucks it to square leg for a single.

Brad Wheal to Crishan Kalugamage, No run.Bowls a shorter delivery on off, Kalugamage bends his back and sways away to let it go.

With Wayne Madsen out of the game, Ali Hasan is the last batter in for Italy.

Mark Watt to Thomas Draca, OUT! c Brandon McMullen b Mark Watt.OUT! TAKEN! It's been a catching practise session lately for Scotland. Floats a fuller delivery on middle, Draca slog-sweeps on the shorter side but doesn't power it much. Hits it straight to Brandon McMullen at deep mid-wicket, who takes a dolly. It's falling apart rather quickly for Italy.

Mark Watt to Crishan Kalugamage, 1 run.Slightly full and around off, Kalugamage crunches it to long off for a single.

Mark Watt to Crishan Kalugamage, No run.Slows up the flighted delivery on middle, Kalugamage leans and defends it well.

Mark Watt to Thomas Draca, 1 run.Angling on the pads, TD flicks it to deep square leg for a single.

Mark Watt to Thomas Draca, No run.Pushed through, a bit quicker on leg, Draca gets inside the line to paddle it away but wears it outside on his pads.

Mark Watt to Thomas Draca, No run.Almost chopped on! The armball, comes in by a long way, nipping in on middle, Thomas Draca goes back to flick it away but inside edges it onto the pads.

Michael Leask to Crishan Kalugamage, No run.Fuller one at the stumps, squeezed away into the off side. 4-0-17-4, a sensational effort from Michael Leask.

Michael Leask to Thomas Draca, 1 run.Shortish length around off, dabbed down behind point for a single.

Scotland are in a hurry now. Thomas Draca replaces Gian-Piero Meade.

Michael Leask to Gian-Piero Meade, OUT! c Brandon McMullen b Michael Leask.OUT! TAKEN! A four-fer for Michael Leask. Tossed up, fuller and on leg stump. Gian-Piero Meade clears the front leg to go big but doesn't quite get to the pitch of the delivery. Ends up chipping it down to Brandon McMullen at long on, who gobbles up an easy catch. Meade departs for a two-ball duck and Scotland are effectively two wickets away from the win.

Michael Leask to Gian-Piero Meade, No run.Flatter one on the pads, nudged away towards mid-wicket.

Michael Leask to Crishan Kalugamage, 1 run.Dragged short and angled across off, tapped away behind point for a single.

Michael Leask and George Munsey combine once again. The duo combine for the third time today. Also, the fourth catch for Munsey. Crishan Kalugamage walks to the middle.

Michael Leask to Grant Stewart, OUT! c George Munsey b Michael Leask.OUT! CAUGHT! Things are falling apart rather quickly here for the Italians as George Munsey hangs on to his fourth catch of the game. Michael Leask uses that angle from around the wicket really well again. This is bowled a bit shorter and angled across off. Grant Stewart rocks back to hit it down the ground but lofts it down to long off where Munsey takes a simple catch. Leask has his third wicket as well.

DRINKS BREAK! Benjamin Manenti's wicket has settled the game in Scotland's favour. It's a stiff chase from hereon with the Italians a batter short as well. This chase will definitely test the batting depth of the debutants. Can Italy find motivation from somewhere, or will Scotland run through the line-up now? Gian-Piero Meade joins Grant Stewart in the middle.

Oliver Davidson to Benjamin Manenti, OUT! c Michael Jones b Oliver Davidson.OUT! CAUGHT! Oliver Davidson has the last laugh and this might be the wicket that settles it for Scotland. Tossed-up delivery, full and around off. Benjamin Manenti hangs deep in the crease and plays the lofted drive over extra cover. There's not much elevation or power on it and Michael Jones takes a fine catch moving to his left from long off. Oliver Davidson gives a send-off to Manenti as well. Ben departs after making a fine 52 off just 31 balls but Italy are now 5 down for 129.

Oliver Davidson to Benjamin Manenti, 2 runs.Dragged length outside off, slapped away to the left of sweeper cover for a couple of runs more.

Oliver Davidson to Benjamin Manenti, Six!SIX! Stand and deliver! Benjamin Manenti is the first Italian batter to score a FIFTY in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. This is bowled well short over middle, Manenti hangs back and dismissively swats it over long on for a biggie. A maiden T20I half-century for him as well.

Oliver Davidson to Grant Stewart, 1 run.Flatter again, angled into the pads, tucked away through mid-wicket for a single.

Oliver Davidson to Benjamin Manenti, 1 run.Flatter armball, darted into middle and leg, Manenti stays back and tucks it in front of mid-wicket for a single.

Oliver Davidson to Benjamin Manenti, Four!FOUR! Wow, what a shot! Floated up, full and outside off, Benjamin Manenti leans back and smokes it flat over the cover region and the ball canters to the fence.

Change from both ends. Oliver Davidson to bowl now. 25 runs off his 2 overs so far.

Michael Leask to Benjamin Manenti, 1 run.Nice and full, on leg stump, Benjamin Manenti drives it down to long on. Just 2 runs and a wicket off the over, could be a game-changing one from Michael Leask.

Michael Leask to Grant Stewart, 1 run.Good length around middle, Grant Stewart looks to flick it leg side but miscues it through mid off for a single.

Michael Leask to Grant Stewart, No run.Pulls the length back by a couple of inches and attacks the middle stump. Stewart rocks back to defend.

Michael Leask to Grant Stewart, No run.A bit fuller, darted into middle and leg, Grant Stewart can only block it back to the bowler.

Michael Leask to Grant Stewart, No run.Flatter one around off, jammed into the off side.

Grant Stewart replaces Harry Manenti.

Michael Leask to Harry Manenti, OUT! c George Munsey b Michael Leask.OUT! CAUGHT! Straight to the man in the deep and that looked like a lazy shot from Harry Manenti. Michael Leask comes around the wicket and angles it across the off stump on a good length. Manenti stays leg side of the ball and lifts it high up but down the throat of the fielder at long off. George Munsey gobbles up his third catch of the game and the 73-run stand between the Manenti brothers is finally broken. Harry departs for 37 (25) and Italy are 113/4.

Michael Leask (2-0-13-1) is back on.

Mark Watt to Benjamin Manenti, No run.Play and a miss! Flatter one, on a nagging length and outside off, skids through. Ben backs away to cut but misses. 13 runs off the over, 95 needed off 48 balls.

Mark Watt to Benjamin Manenti, 2 runs.Fuller and around off, stroked away wide of long off for another brace. It's easy batting right now for Italy.

Mark Watt to Benjamin Manenti, 2 runs.Dragged length around off, pushed away wide of deep cover for a couple of runs more by Benjamin Manenti.

Mark Watt to Benjamin Manenti, Four!FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries and this chase is well and truly alive. Full again, attacking the stumps, Ben stays deep in the crease and pummels it back over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Mark Watt to Benjamin Manenti, Four!FOUR! That's flown away to the fence. Full and around off, fired in. Benjamin Manenti hangs back and powers it to the left of the cover fielder for a boundary.

Mark Watt to Harry Manenti, 1 run.On a length, slower through the air and outside off. Harry Manenti walks to the off side and helps the sweep down to fine leg for a single.

Brandon McMullen to Benjamin Manenti, 2 runs.Short of a good length, angled into the pads, Ben tucks it away wide of deep square leg and picks up a couple of runs. The 100 is now up for Italy as well.

Brandon McMullen to Harry Manenti, 1 run.Fuller and on the pads, clipped away down to deep backward square leg for one.

Brandon McMullen to Harry Manenti, No run.Slower one, back of a length and around off, nudged away to short third.

Brandon McMullen to Harry Manenti, Six!SIX! Oh, glorious from Harry. Too full and around off, right in the slot. Harry Manenti hits through the line and smacks it back over the bowler's head for a biggie.

Brandon McMullen to Benjamin Manenti, No ball!Very full and swinging into the pads. Ben manages to get an inside edge and the ball goes off the pads just to the leg side. The batters pick up a single and the 50-run stand is up between the Manenti brothers. Hold on, the siren has gone off. A front-foot No Ball from McMullen and a Free Hit to follow...

Brandon McMullen to Harry Manenti, 1 run.Another gentle-paced delivery, angled into the pads. Harry nudges it around the corner on the leg side and picks up another single.

Brandon McMullen to Benjamin Manenti, 1 run.Good-length delivery around off, Benjamin Manenti lifts it without much timing and over mid off for a single.

Halfway mark in the chase. Italy are 87/3 and need 121 more in the remaining 60 balls to win. Brandon McMullen to have a bowl now.

Oliver Davidson to Benjamin Manenti, 1 run.One more run to end the over as Benjamin Manenti plays it down to long on. 12 runs off the over. These two have added 47 runs together now.

Oliver Davidson to Harry Manenti, 1 run.Flatter delivery, outside off, punched past cover for a single.

Oliver Davidson to Harry Manenti, Six!SIX! JUST ENOUGH! Calculated shot from Harry as he picks the shorter side, picks up the fuller delivery and slogs it over deep mid-wicket. The fielder is called into the action but the ball sails over his head for a biggie.

Oliver Davidson to Harry Manenti, Wide!Wide! Slows up the pace and flights a bit, over the strip line. Left alone for a wide.

Oliver Davidson to Benjamin Manenti, 1 run.Tossed up, fuller and around off, BM knocks it to deep cover for one more.

Oliver Davidson to Harry Manenti, 1 run.Overpitched and bowls it wide of off. Harry Manenti firmly drives it to sweeper cover and runs across.

Oliver Davidson to Benjamin Manenti, 1 run.Fires it full and in line of the stumps, driven down to long off for a single.

Michael Leask to Harry Manenti, No run.Away-angler, on a length and outside off, Harry Manenti gets on his knee to sweep but misses it.

Michael Leask to Harry Manenti, 2 runs.Fuller delivery, attacking the stumps, Harry Manenti gets inside the line and turns it to the right of square leg for an easy couple.

Michael Leask to Benjamin Manenti, 1 run.Pushes it full and on middle, drilled down to long on for a single.

Michael Leask to Benjamin Manenti, Four!FOUR! That was asking to be hit! Too short and on leg, Benjamin Manenti bends his back knee and swipes it across, behind square leg for a boundary.

Michael Leask to Harry Manenti, 1 run.Angles across a fuller delivery, around off, Harry Manenti takes a premeditated charge and swings but slices his shot to deep point. Well short of the fielder for a single.

Michael Leask to Benjamin Manenti, 1 run.Pitches it up on leg, Benjamin Manenti clears his front leg and chips it uppishly past Leask and to long on for a single.

Mark Watt to Benjamin Manenti, 1 run.Fractionally short and outside off, Benjamin Manenti hits the width away to deep point for one more.

Mark Watt to Benjamin Manenti, No run.The armball, holds a bit in the deck, around off, Benjamin Manenti pats it back to Watt.

Mark Watt to Harry Manenti, 1 run.One more run as Harry Manenti plays the fuller delivery past cover for one more.

Mark Watt to Benjamin Manenti, 1 run.Tossed up, outside off, knocked past cover for a single.

Mark Watt to Benjamin Manenti, Four!FOUR! CHANCE! Watt hits the deck, bowls it short and outside off, Benjamin Manenti forces his cut shot and outside edges it to the right of short third. Brad Wheal dives and attempts with both hands but fails to get close to the ball. It rolls past him for a boundary.

Mark Watt to Benjamin Manenti, No run.Mark Watt bowls at a nice trajectory, flatter and outside off, Benjamin Manenti tries to punch it square but misses.

Brad Wheal to Benjamin Manenti, 1 run.A length ball, around off, punched to mid off to end the over with a single.

Brad Wheal to Harry Manenti, 1 run.The off-cutter on the fuller side and on middle, Harry Manenti tries to wrist it away but plays off the inner half of the bat to mid-wicket for a single.

Brad Wheal to Harry Manenti, No run.Brad Wheal hits the deck hard and bowls it around off, at a good height for Harry Manenti who offers no shot to it.

Brad Wheal to Benjamin Manenti, 1 run.Call is for two, but they settle with one. On a nagging length and around off, nudged in front of deep mid-wicket for one.

Brad Wheal to Harry Manenti, 1 run.On a good length, outside off, Harry Manenti guides it nicely to third man for a single.

Brad Wheal to Benjamin Manenti, 1 run.This is full and on middle, drilled to long on for a single.

DRINKS BREAK! A fast and furious first 6 overs in the chase and although Italy are going at 9 runs an over, they have lost 3 big wickets. Scotland won't mind the runs as long as the wickets keep coming and that is one risk they are willing to take, it seems. A lot rests on the shoulders of the Manenti brothers for Italy as their skipper Wayne Madsen won't take further part in this game. The middle phase, which is generally the consolidation phase, is going to be crucial. Let's see how the game shapes up.

Oliver Davidson to Harry Manenti, Six!SIX! Italy end the Powerplay on a good note. Yet another solid shot from Harry! Touch too full and sliding on middle and leg, Harry picks the angle and sweeps it flat, good height behind the ball and it rolls over the square leg fence. The batting team are 54/3 after the first six overs.

Oliver Davidson to Harry Manenti, No run.In-angler, fuller delivery on middle, Harry Manenti eases it back to Oliver.

Oliver Davidson to Harry Manenti, Four!FOUR! Oh, such a good-looking shot! Touch fuller, around off, nothing wrong with the delivery. Harry Manenti presses forward and firmly drives it through extra-cover for a boundary.

Oliver Davidson to Harry Manenti, No run.Gives width and bowls it touch short. Harry Manenti gets on his toes as he punches but finds the man at cover.

Oliver Davidson to Harry Manenti, No run.Flatter delivery from Oliver Davidson, around off, Harry Manenti taps it to the bowler.

Oliver Davidson to Benjamin Manenti, 3 runs.The misfield allows three runs! Length delivery, outside off, Benjamin Manenti slaps it to point where the odd bounce pushes the ball past the fielder there. The batters run three as the ball rolls in the deep.

Mark Watt to Benjamin Manenti, 1 run.Fired in, full and towards middle and leg, Benjamin Manenti pushes it down to long on for a single.

Mark Watt to Benjamin Manenti, No run.Shorter one around off, played off the back foot and in front of point.

The Mosca brothers are back in the hut. The Manenti brothers are in the middle. Benjamin joins Harry.

Mark Watt to Anthony Mosca, OUT! c George Munsey b Mark Watt.OUT! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust and who else but George Munsey to take another brilliant catch. Mark Watt bowls it short and just wide outside off. Anthony Mosca sets up to cut off the back foot but is undone by the extra bounce. Mosca ends up slicing it uppishly to the left of backward point. Munsey puts a lunging dive to his left and snaffles a solid low catch. The other Mosca brother walks back for 13 (12) and Italy are 40/3 inside the first 5 overs.

Mark Watt to Anthony Mosca, No run.Shortish length and around off, Mosca hangs back and nudges it down in front of point.

Mark Watt to Anthony Mosca, No run.Flatter one, angled in from outside off. Mosca rocks back and jams it to cover.

Mark Watt to Harry Manenti, 1 run.'Catch it' is the call but it lands well short. Tossed up on off, Manenti plays the lofted drive over mid off and gets it on the bounce to long off for a single.

Bowling change. Mark Watt to bowl for the first time.

Brad Currie to Anthony Mosca, No run.Back of a length and on off, Mosca stands tall and taps it down to covers.

Brad Currie to Anthony Mosca, Four!FOUR! Oh, well adjusted by Mosca. Back of a length and angled well across off. Anthony Mosca hops to the off side and guides it off the gloves and threads the narrow gap between the keeper and short third, picking up four runs.