England Hold Nerve Against Spirited Italy to March into Super 8s

Kolkata, Feb 2026 : England booked their place in the Super 8s of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with a tense 24-run victory over Italy in a pulsating Group C encounter at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. What looked, at one stage, like a comfortable night for the defending champions turned into a stern test of temperament as Italy, led by a breathtaking counterattack from Ben Manenti and Grant Stewart, pushed England to the brink before experience finally told.

After being put in to bat, England produced a commanding batting display to post a formidable 202 for 7, a total that appeared well beyond Italy’s reach. The innings was anchored by Will Jacks, who played with maturity and intent, pacing his knock expertly to finish unbeaten on 53. England’s middle order provided timely momentum, ensuring the scoring rate never dipped despite Italy’s bowlers fighting back in the latter stages.

Italy’s chase, however, began in disastrous fashion. Jofra Archer tore through the top order in a fiery opening over, dismissing JJ Smuts for a duck and striking again to leave Italy reeling at 1 for 2. Jamie Overton soon joined the act, and when Harry Manenti departed, Italy found themselves tottering at 22 for 3 inside the first four overs, staring at an uphill task against a disciplined English attack.

With the required rate climbing steeply, Italy desperately needed something special—and they found it in the unlikely yet fearless partnership between Justin Mosca and Ben Manenti. Mosca brought calmness and structure to the innings, rotating the strike and picking his moments, while Manenti unleashed a jaw-dropping display of power-hitting that transformed the mood inside the stadium.

Manenti went after England’s bowlers with astonishing confidence, launching six towering sixes and striking four crisp boundaries. He raced to a half-century off just 22 balls, the fastest fifty ever recorded by an associate batter against a Full Member in T20 World Cup history. Alongside Mosca, who compiled a fluent 43 off 34 deliveries, Manenti dragged Italy back into the contest, lifting the score to 114 for 3 in the 12th over and suddenly placing England under real pressure.

Sensing the danger, England turned to part-time off-spinner Will Jacks, and the move paid immediate dividends. Jacks broke the partnership by dismissing Manenti for a sensational 60 off 25 balls, with Tom Banton holding a crucial catch at long-on. The dismissal proved to be the turning point, halting Italy’s momentum just as a famous upset seemed possible.

Adil Rashid then tightened the screws with a key wicket, removing Mosca and forcing Italy’s chase to wobble again. Sam Curran followed up with a decisive double strike, dismissing Marcus Campopiano and Gian Meade in quick succession, effectively dismantling the middle order and restoring England’s control.

Italy, though, refused to fade quietly. Grant Stewart launched a late onslaught, smashing 45 off just 23 balls and keeping hopes alive deep into the final overs. Jaspreet Singh joined the charge as Italy plundered 21 runs from Rashid’s 18th over, suddenly reducing the equation to a manageable 30 needed from the final two overs.

Once again, England’s composure under pressure made the difference. Curran returned to remove Stewart in the penultimate over, a wicket that all but sealed the contest. With 25 required from the final over, Overton kept his nerve, dismissing Jaspreet Singh and Ali Hasan as Italy were bowled out for 178, falling 24 runs short of a remarkable chase.

England’s bowling effort was led superbly by Overton, who finished with figures of 3 for 18, and Curran, who claimed 3 for 22. Archer’s early strikes set the tone, while Rashid’s control in the middle overs proved invaluable.

Although Italy ended on the losing side, their fearless approach won widespread admiration. Their innings featured 13 sixes—the most ever hit by an associate team against a Full Member in a T20 World Cup match—and underlined their growing confidence on the global stage.

In the end, England’s experience, depth, and ability to stay calm in decisive moments ensured a hard-earned victory and a deserved place in the Super 8s.

Brief scores:
England 202/7 in 20 overs (Will Jacks 53*, Tom Banton 30; Crishan Kalugamage 2-41, Grant Stewart 2-51)
Italy 178 all out in 20 overs (Ben Manenti 60, Grant Stewart 45; Jamie Overton 3-18, Sam Curran 3-22)
England won by 24 runs.