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Italy’s men’s cricket team created history on Friday, July 11 after securing qualification for the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup, which will be played in India and Sri Lanka. For Italy, it’ll be their first ever qualification for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Notably, Joe Burns-led Italy qualified for the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup despite losing to Netherlands at The Hague on Friday. Apart from Italy, Netherlands also confirmed their presence for the marquee event.
After being restricted to 134/7, Italy needed to hold Netherlands for at least 15 overs in order to qualify. Michael Levitt and Max O’Dowd got the hosts off to a flier in the Powerplay that took the momentum away from Italy early on but the visitors made sure to stretch the match till the 17th over to help themselves book a berth to India and Sri Lanka next year.
Earlier in the first innings, Roelof van der Merwe helped Netherlands restrict Italy to a moderate total, picking three wickets and giving away just 15 runs in his four overs.
Italy kept losing wickets in regular intervals and couldn’t stitch together a partnership to sustain the innings as Kyle Klein’s spell aided by van der Merwe’s tight bowling didn’t allow the visitors to score easily.
A steady knock by Benjamin Manenti and a late blitz by Grant Stewarts pushed Italy to a total of 134/7 in their 20 overs, which Netherlands eventually chased down comfortably, but it was enough for Italy to qualify for their first-ever World Cup tournament.
Meanwhile, Jersey lost out on the qualification spot even after having come out victorious against Scotland, Jersey’s first-ever win against them.
As many as 15 teams have qualified for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 so far. The Asia EAP qualifier will see three more sides qualify from the competition while two further teams will make it through from the Africa qualifier.
Teams qualified for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup as on July 11, 2025
Afghanistan
Australia
Bangladesh
Canada
England
India
Ireland
New Zealand
Pakistan
South Africa
Sri Lanka
USA
West Indies
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