**Scotland vs Italy: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Match Prediction**
**Match Details:**
**Match:** Scotland vs Italy (SCO vs ITA), 7th Match, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
**Date and Time:** February 9, 05:30 am GMT / 11:30 am BD / 11:00 am local time
**Venue:** Eden Gardens, Kolkata
**SCO vs ITA Preview:**
Scotland is gearing up to take on Italy in their 7th match in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The thrilling encounter is all set to unfold at Eden Gardens on Monday, February 9.
**Recent Performance:**
**Scotland:** WAWLL
**Italy:** WLLLW
**Head-To-Head Records:**
In their previous encounters, Scotland has emerged victorious twice against Italy, with Italy managing to secure a win once. The rivalry between these two teams is intense, and fans can expect an exciting match ahead.
**Toss Prediction:**
The team that wins the toss is likely to choose to bowl first, setting the tone for an action-packed game.
**Pitch Report:**
Eden Gardens in Kolkata is known for its batting-friendly pitch, providing true bounce and consistent pace early on. The fast outfield and shorter boundaries make scoring boundaries relatively easy, leading to competitive first-innings totals often in the mid-150s to 180+. As the match progresses, spinners may come into play during the middle overs, while pace bowlers will need to vary their deliveries to remain effective. The toss-winning team might opt to bowl first, especially under night conditions when dew can make bowling challenging. Overall, Eden Gardens offers a balanced surface where strong batting in the powerplay and strategic spin bowling could determine the outcome.
**Weather Report:**
On February 9 at 11:00 AM local time, the weather at Eden Gardens is expected to be warm and sunny, ideal for cricket. With temperatures around 27°C, clear skies, and minimal cloud cover, players and spectators can look forward to a comfortable day of cricket. Light winds and moderate humidity levels make it a perfect setting for an exciting match without any rain interruptions.
**Expected Scores:**
Given the pitch conditions and weather forecast, teams are likely to post competitive scores, with both Scotland and Italy eager to showcase their skills in this highly anticipated match.
**Full Squad:**
**Scotland:** Richie Berrington (c), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross, Bradley Currie, Oliver Davidson, Chris Greaves, Zainullah Ihsan, Michael Jones, Michael Leask, Finlay McCreath, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Mark Watt, Bradley Wheal. Travelling reserves: Jasper Davidson, Jack Jarvis, Non-travelling reserves: Mackenzie Jones, Chris McBride, Charlie Tear.
**Italy:** Wayne Madsen (c), Marcus Campopiano, Gian Piero Meade, Zain Ali, Ali Hasan, Crishan Jorge Kalugamage, Harry Manenti, Anthony Mosca, Justin Mosca, Syed Naqvi, Benjamin Manenti, Jaspreet Singh, JJ Smuts, Grant Stewart, Thomas Draca.
As the clash between Scotland and Italy draws near, fans can expect a thrilling match filled with exciting moments and intense competition in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Stay tuned for updates and live coverage of this highly anticipated encounter.
**Key Players to Watch:**
For Scotland, Richie Berrington’s leadership and all-around skills will be crucial in guiding the team. George Munsey’s explosive batting at the top order and Safyaan Sharif’s effective bowling will also be key factors in Scotland’s performance. On the other hand, Italy will rely on the experience of Wayne Madsen to lead from the front. Grant Stewart’s all-round abilities and Marcus Campopiano’s solid batting technique will play pivotal roles in Italy’s campaign.
**Team Strategies:**
Scotland, known for their aggressive approach, is likely to aim for a strong start with their power-hitters going after the opposition’s bowlers. They will look to capitalize on the batting-friendly conditions at Eden Gardens and put up a challenging total on the board. Scotland’s bowling attack, led by Safyaan Sharif and Mark Watt, will focus on containing Italy’s batsmen and taking crucial wickets at regular intervals.
Italy, on the other hand, will aim for a balanced approach, focusing on building partnerships and rotating strike to keep the scoreboard ticking. They will look to restrict Scotland’s aggressive batting line-up by bowling tight lines and creating pressure on the opposition. Italy’s spinners, led by JJ Smuts and Benjamin Manenti, will play a crucial role in controlling the middle overs and picking up key breakthroughs.
**Fan Expectations:**
With both teams having shown glimpses of their potential in the tournament so far, fans can expect a closely contested match with momentum swinging back and forth. The rivalry between Scotland and Italy adds an extra layer of excitement to the encounter, with both teams eager to outperform each other on the big stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
**Prediction:**
Considering the recent form of both teams and the key players to watch, Scotland appears to have the edge heading into the match against Italy. However, cricket is a game of uncertainties, and Italy has the talent to spring a surprise on any given day. It promises to be a high-octane clash with thrilling moments for fans to savor.
As the clock ticks closer to the match between Scotland and Italy in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, anticipation and excitement are building among cricket enthusiasts worldwide. Stay tuned for what promises to be a gripping contest between two competitive teams vying for victory in this prestigious tournament.
