After Burns won the toss at Voorburg Cricket Club and decided to bat Italy posted 167-6 from their 20 overs thanks largely to an blistering 50 off 21 balls from Emilio Gay.
The Durham batter, who qualifies via his English-Italian mother, smashed six fours and two before he was caught by George Munsey off the bowling of Michael Leask.
Off-spinner Leask then dismissed Marcus Campopiano next ball to stymie Italy’s momentum en route to figures of 3-18.
However, Grant Stewart played a crucial hand for the Italians as he finished unbeaten on 44 having hit three sixes and two fours off 27 balls.
Scotland, who beat the Dutch and saw their match against Guernsey washed out, appeared on course for victory when opener Munsey and captain Richie Berrington put on 105 for the third wicket as Italy looked set to be punished for dropped catches.
However, when Munsey was caught by Burns off Manenti for a 61-ball 72 with 16 balls remaining, Italy’s bowlers started to turn turned the screw.
New batters Leask and Matthew Cross struggled to time the ball on a pitch which took time to get in on and both were dismissed by Manenti, who finished with 5-31, as he and Stewart conceded just one boundary in the final three overs.
Scotland skipper Berrington, who finished unbeaten on 46 off 37 balls, said his side must quickly pick themselves up for the meeting with Jersey.
“We kept ourselves in it but just didn’t manage to execute at the end. A lot of the credit has to go to Italy who outskilled us with the ball in those conditions,” said Berrington.
“Obviously today’s a tough one, but it’s important we learn what we can from this game. We will be looking to come back strong.
“We have to focus on coming back on Friday and looking to win that game then the rest takes of itself.”
