Italy Cricket create history: Qualify for T20 World Cup 2026 – A look at their road to qualification and architects who made it possible.
Italy are in the World Cup, not in the shape of football but cricket. It was a historic moment for the side securing their qualification for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. They couldn’t earn a victory against the Netherlands at the Hague, but the net run-rate worked for the Joe Burns-led side to write history.
The Dutch also qualified for the event after their comfortable chase of 135 runs. Meanwhile, Scotland, who featured in the last four seasons of the T20 World Cup, were knocked out after their last-ball defeat against Jersey. It was an unfortunate event for Jersey, who, despite the one-wicket victory, got knocked out by the Netherlands.
Both Italy and Jersey had five points in four fixtures. However, the former’s net rate of 0.612 contributed to this factor. Their only requirement was to avoid a heavy defeat, which they did by stretching the Netherlands’ chase to 16.2 overs.
Itay’s journey to secure maiden T20 World Cup qualification
They started the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Region Final with a seven-wicket victory over Guernsey. The opponents put only 122/9 on the board in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to Harry Manenti’s spectacular bowling of 3/17 in four overs. It was a walk in the park for Italy in the chase, shouldering on opener Justin Mosca’s unbeaten 66 runs in 37 balls.
Their second clash of the event against Jersey was abandoned due to rain. The attention turned to the third encounter against a strong Scotland side. During last year’s T20 World Cup, the Richie Berrington-led side was in a position to defeat Australia and advance to the ‘super eight’ stage. However, their bowling didn’t work against Italy.
Scotland’s pace bowling unit looked average. Emilio Gay smashed a 21-ball 50-run knock before Grant Stewart remained unbeaten on 44 runs in 27 balls to carry Italy to 167/6 in 20 overs. George Munsey enjoyed a fine start in the chase with 72 runs in 61 balls. The leader remained undefeated on 46 runs, but no one could give them the fire in the batting department. They fell short of the target by 12 runs.
In the last game, Italy opted to bat but lost both openers inside the first three overs. Captain Joe Burns (22) fell in the seventh over, as they kept losing wickets regularly to stroll up to 134/7. Netherlands, just like a dominating side, didn’t leave an inch and killed the game in the powerplay with 66/0. Later, captain Scott Edwars and Max O’Dowd’s 64-run stand completed the successful chase in just 16.2 overs.
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Joe Burns’ contribution: From Brisbane to Italy to the T20 World Cup 2026
The Indian fans remember the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2014-15 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for multiple reasons. It was the game that signaled the end of an era. MS Dhoni, the former captain of the Blue Brigade, retired from the red-ball format, while a young KL Rahul took his first step in the longest format. The spotlight was on them.
But quietly, away from the attention, another young right-handed batter, Joe Burns, took guard. He was also chasing a dream, but there were no headlines to cover. The Brisbane-born could not be a regular member of Australia as his time in the Baggy Green faded away in 2020.
But cricket, just like life, has a different script. It was a chance to become a writer, not with the pen, but by showing a different character. Under a different flag, with a variable purpose, Burns helped script one of the most remarkable underdog stories of the game. But why Italy?
It wasn’t a cricketing decision but the ride of a memory, love, and tribute. The 35-year-old selected jersey number 85 with a purpose. That number belonged to his late brother, Dominic, who used to play for the Northern Federals in sub-district cricket. But he tragically passed away in 2024, leaving a void to fill.
With the same jersey number 85, Burns has carried a legacy, sharing a bond with heaven. He has made sure that Dominic’s spirit will never stay off the field. It’s more than just a game between bat and ball.
Italy find their feet on the world map
When one hears of Italy, the mind makes a trip to the football legends like Roberto Baggio or Paolo Maldini. There are Tennis stars like Jasmine Paolini and Jannik Sinner, but who was there in cricket? The domestic structure of their cricket league is only around the Regional events. There are several challenges, including funding and infrastructure. Most of the grounds are adapted for football.
But the biggest void was the passion among the fans. Playing cricket is like a full-time job to earn bread and butter for the family among everyday struggles. There is no part of fame. There is a small part of the dream to get among the big nations’ competition.
For the general public, cricket was a never-before-seen game in the nation. They were not visible in the cricket map for years, but this T20 World Cup qualification has changed the narrative. Their dream can come out of the shadows. For Burns, it’s a redemption. But for the country, it’s the start of a new journey.
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