The big news of the day from the European qualifier for the next men's T20 World Cup is that Italy have pulled off a surprise win over Scotland and move closer to a first ever World Cup appearance.

Italy batted first after winning the toss at Voorburg Cricket Club, and their early runs came mostly from Durham's Emilio Gay who smashed 50 from only 21 balls. Harry Manenti scored a run a ball 38 and Grant Stewart hit 44 from 27 balls to help Italy score 167-6 from their 20 overs.

Harry Manenti removed Ollie Hairs and Brandon McMullen in successive deliveries of the Scotland reply, but Scotland looked to be cruising as George Munsey and Richie Berrington added 105 for the third wicket. The reintroduction of Mananeti for the final overs saw the game swing back the way of the Italians though.

He removed Munsey for 72 (from 61 balls) in the 18th over and then Michael Leask from the first ball of the final over, with Scotland needing an unlikely 26 from the last five balls. They got to 155 before Manenti took his fifth wicket from the last ball of the innings to finish with 5-31 and secure the 12 run win.

Italy celebrate (ICC Europe)

In the afternoon game, hosts Netherlands batted first and racked up 172-1 from their 20 overs with Max O'Dowd clubbing an unbetean 92 from just 57 balls. Guernsey batted out their overs in reply but fell just short of three figures on 99-9, a 73 run defeat.

The results mean that the winner of Friday's second game - Netherlands v Italy - will secure their place in the World Cup. If Italy win, the winners of Scotland v Jersey in the morning will join them. If Netherlands win, Italy will need to hope that the net run rate calculations are in their favour as they will be level on points with the winner of Scotland v Jersey.