T20 World Cup 2026: England narrowly dodged another scare in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. In match 29, they scraped past Italy by 24 runs in a final-over thriller. That win means England moves on to the Super 8 from Group C, joining the West Indies. So, for Italy, Scotland, and Nepal (from this group), their run in the tournament ends here.
In the match played out at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, England won the toss, chose to bat, and racked up 202 runs in their 20 overs, thanks mostly to a well-crafted half-century from Will Jacks. Italy gave them a real fight, though, pushing hard but falling short at 178 all out.
Chasing 203, Italy surprised a lot of people. Their batters took on England’s spinners and, for a while, it looked like the game could go either way. But England leaned on their big-match experience, kept their nerve at the end, and pulled through. Ben Manenti really lit up the chase for Italy.
Manenti hammered 60, getting to fifty in just 22 balls and he smashed 6 sixes and 4 fours. Grant Stewart chipped in with a quick 45 off 23, and Justin Mosca added 43 from 34. For England, Sam Curran and Jamie Overton both picked up three wickets each. Jofra Archer grabbed two, while Will Jacks and Adil Rashid took one apiece.
Will Jacks starred with the bat too, finishing unbeaten on 53 from only 22 balls. Tom Banton made 30 off 23, Phil Salt added 28, Sam Curran hit 25, and Jacob Bethell chipped in with 23.
Italy Playing XI: Justin Mosca, Anthony Mosca, JJ Smuts, Harry Manenti (captain), Ben Manenti, Marcus Campopiano, Grant Stuart, GP Meade, Jaspreet Singh, Crishan Kalugamage, Ali Hasan.
England Playing XI: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (c), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid.
