Scotland registered their first points at the Men's T20 World Cup 2026 with a dominant win over Italy on Feb. 9, but it was the scale of Scotland's batting that truly stood out, etching their name into the record books. In a dominant display in Kolkata's Eden Gardens, the Scots became the first Associate Member nation to breach the 200-run mark in men's T20 World Cup history, underlining the growing firepower among the game's emerging nations.
Riding on George Munsey's blitz at the top of the order, Scotland got off to a blazing start with a 126-run partnership off just 83 balls for the opening wicket. Munsey smashed eight fours inside the powerplay itself, reserving special treatment for Thomas Draca, whom he tore into with three back-to-back boundaries.
Munsey Sets The Platform, McMullen Accelerates
Munsey reached his half-century in style with the first six of his innings in the eighth over, reaching 53 off just 30 balls. Italy, making their T20 World Cup debut, had to wait until the 14th over when they grabbed their first wicket in the tournament. It came via Grant Stewart who sent down a wide half-tracker to Munsey and the Scot could only find the man at long-on as he looked to clear the ropes.
Munsey walked back with 84 runs off just 54 balls and more importantly leaving his team with a commanding platform to build on, something that Brandon McMullen wasn't going to let slip. Scotland's no. 3 walked out to replace Munsey and took things up a notch. While Munsey batted with a strike-rate of 155.55, McMullen went hammer and tongs after the Italians, scoring at a blistering pace of 227.77.
He smashed Crishan Kalugamage for back-to-back sixes in the 16th over and finished with a total of four maximums to his name en route to an unbeaten 41* off just 18 balls.
Leask's Final-Over Blitz Takes Scotland Past 200
Scotland had 185/3 going into the final over as Draca got rid of Tom Bruce on the very first delivery. The dismissal proved fortuitous for Scotland, bringing in the big-hitting all-rounder from Aberdeen, Michael Leask to the crease with a license to attack.
Leask who walked out at no. 6, got going by jamming out a yorker on the first delivery he faced, sending it racing through extra cover for a boundary. He miscued a pull on the next delivery for two runs but made amends with a slog through midwicket for a boundary off the fourth delivery of the over.
The moment of history came on the fifth delivery as Draca dished out a juicy delivery right in the slot and Leask leaned back to send it flying over long-on for a maximum, taking Scotland past the 200-run mark and making them the only Associate Member nation to reach those heights.
Leask wasn't done there as he celebrated by launching the final delivery, a waist-high full toss high over midwicket for back-to-back sixes. Leask finished with 22* off just 5 balls as Scotland posted 207/4 in their 20 overs.
Leask then returned to the field with the ball as he finished with excellent figures of 4/17. Italy, riding on a valiant innings from Ben Manetti (52 off 31 balls), were able to only muster 134 in reply, falling short by 73 runs.
Scotland's total takes them to the top of the all-time highest scores' list among Associate Member nations. The previous highest was 197/4, posted by USA in their successful chase on home soil against fellow Associates Canada.
Here's a look at the top 10 scores by Associate Member nations at men's T20 World Cups so far. (*Note: Afghanistan and Ireland were declared full members of the ICC only in 2017).
Top 10 Team Scores By Associate Member Nations At T20 World Cups
1. Scotland 207/4 vs Italy - Won - Eden Gardens - Feb. 9, 2026
2. USA 197/3 vs Canada - Won - Dallas - Jun. 1, 2024
3. Canada 194/5 vs USA - Lost - Dallas - Jun. 1, 2024
4. Netherlands 193/4 vs Ireland - Won - Sylhet - March 21, 2014
5. Ireland 189/4 vs Netherlands - Lost - Sylhet - March 21, 2014
6. Afghanistan 186/6 vs Zimbabwe - Won - Nagpur - March 12, 2016
7. Scotland 180/5 vs Australia - Lost - Gros islet - June 19, 2024
8. Nepal 180/6 vs England - Lost - Wankhede - Feb. 8, 2026
9. Scotland 176/5 vs Ireland - Lost - Hobart - Oct. 19, 2022
10. USA 176/6 vs South Africa - Lost - North Sound - June 19, 2024
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