Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Three matches will be played at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Monday.
Italy will take on Scotland at 11:15 am in Group C, while Oman will clash with Zimbabwe at 3:15 pm, and Canada will face South Africa at 7:15 pm in Group D.
Italy vs Scotland
Italy and Scotland meet at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, in the day’s opening match. The contest between the two European Associate nations is expected to be intriguing, particularly as Italy—appearing in their first-ever T20 World Cup—had earlier defeated Scotland in the European qualifier. Scotland secured a place in the tournament only after Bangladesh declined to play on Indian soil.
The two sides have faced each other twice before, with both teams registering one victory each. Italy enter the game with confidence after winning their warm-up matches against the UAE and Canada. Scotland, on the other hand, began their T20 World Cup campaign with a 35-run loss to the West Indies in their first group stage fixture.
Oman vs Zimbabwe
Oman will take on Zimbabwe in Colombo in the afternoon fixture.
Oman are playing in their second successive T20 World Cup, while Zimbabwe failed to qualify for the 2024 edition.
Oman head into the match in high spirits, having chased down Zimbabwe’s total of 187 in a recent warm-up encounter.
Zimbabwe, which won the Africa qualifier undefeated, managed just one victory in the tri-series featuring Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and also suffered a series whitewash against Afghanistan.
The two teams have met only once before—in the warm-up match a few days ago—which Oman won by four wickets.
Canada vs South Africa
South Africa, the 2024 finalists, will begin their 2026 campaign against Canada in Ahmedabad.
The Proteas arrive at the World Cup on the back of a 2-1 home series win over the West Indies, although they suffered a 30-run defeat to India in their warm-up match.
Canada, who were unbeaten in their previous five matches, suffered setbacks in the warm-ups with losses to Nepal and Italy.
This will be the first-ever T20 International meeting between the two sides.
