Match No. 7 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 brings together Scotland and Italy in an intriguing Group C clash at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Monday morning, February 9. With the tournament still in its early stages, both teams know how crucial this fixture could be in shaping their campaign.

Scotland enter the contest under pressure after enduring a difficult run in T20 cricket. They have lost their last three matches in the format, with their most recent setback coming against the West Indies on Saturday, February 7.

Those results have raised concerns about their form and confidence, especially against competitive sides. For Scotland, this match represents more than just another group game. A win would not only halt their losing streak but also give them vital momentum and belief as they look to stay alive in the race for the knockout stages. Picking up points early is essential if they are to mount a serious challenge in a tightly contested group.

Italy, meanwhile, have already defied expectations by making it to the 20-team World Cup, a significant achievement in itself.

Their qualification campaign caught many by surprise and highlighted the steady progress they have made as a cricketing nation. Although Joe Burns, who captained them during the qualifiers, is not part of the current squad, Italy will now look to adapt under the leadership of Wayne Madsen. So now, how they respond to this change, and how they handle the pressure of a big World Cup stage at the Eden Gardens, will be fascinating to watch.

SCO vs ITA, T20 World Cup 2026: Match details

• Date and Time: February 9; 11:00 am IST / 5:30 am GMT
• Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata

SCO vs ITA, Head-to-Head Record in T20Is

Matches played: 02 | Scotland won: 01 | Italy won: 01

Eden Gardens Pitch Report

The pitch at Eden Gardens is known for offering a fine balance between bat and ball, making it an exciting venue for T20 cricket. Prepared on black cotton soil, the surface generally provides true bounce and good carry, especially in the early stages of the match.

During the powerplay, the ball comes nicely onto the bat, allowing top-order batters to play their shots with confidence and make full use of the fielding restrictions. Fast bowlers, however, are not completely out of the contest early on. With a fresh surface and the new ball, there is usually some pace and movement on offer, particularly in evening matches under lights, where swing through the air can trouble batters who are not fully set.

As the game moves forward, the pitch begins to dry out and lose some of its initial pace, causing the ball to hold slightly on the surface.

This is when spinners start to come into their own. True to Eden Gardens’ reputation, the middle overs often belong to spin, with the surface providing enough grip to bring turn into play. Leg-spinners, in particular, have enjoyed success here, using sharp turn and variations to keep batters guessing. While the pitch rarely becomes unpredictable, the slowing nature of the surface demands smart batting and clever bowling, making adaptability the key to success.

Squads

Scotland: Mark Watt, Michael Jones, Brandon McMullen, Richie Berrington (c), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross (wk), Oliver Davidson, Michael Leask, Chris Greaves, Zainullah Ihsan, Safyaan Sharif, George Munsey, Brad Wheal, Finlay McCreath, Brad Currie

Italy: Justin Mosca, Anthony Mosca, JJ Smuts, Wayne Madsen (c), Harry Mannenty, Ben Mannenti, Gian Meade (wk), Grant Stewart, Cression Kalagamage, Ali Hasan, Thomas Draca, Zain Ali, Syed Naq, Marcus Campopiano, Jasrete, Sydh, Marcus Campopiano, Jasrete, Sydh, Marcus Campoopiano, Jasrete Singah Singah, Marcus Campoe, Jasrete Singh Singah, Marcus Campoe, Jasrete Singh Singah,

SCO vs ITA, T20 World Cup 2026: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Scotland wins the toss and bowls first
• Italy’s powerplay score: 30-40 (6 overs)
• Italy’s total score: 140-150

Case 2:

• Italy wins the toss and bowls first
• Scotland’s powerplay score: 40-50 (6 overs)
• Scotland’s total score: 160-170

Match result: Scotland to win the contest.