England Cricket Team vs Italy National Cricket Team Match Scorecard: England survived a major scare before sealing a place in the Super Eights of the 2026 T20 World Cup with a 24-run win over Italy in a high-scoring Group C match on Monday, February 16, 2026.
Powered by Will Jacks’ fastest fifty for England in a T20 World Cup, England posted 202-7 after captain Harry Brook won the toss and chose to bat. Italy, the lowest-ranked side in the tournament, mounted a bold chase but was bowled out for 178 off the final ball.
Jacks struck 53 not out off 22 balls, reaching his half-century in 21 balls to break Eoin Morgan’s previous England record of a 25-ball fifty against the West Indies in 2012. His knock helped England record its highest total of the tournament so far.
England was in trouble at 105-5 in the 13th over before Jacks steadied the innings. He added 54 runs in 25 balls with Sam Curran (25) for the sixth wicket and 35 in 16 balls with Jamie Overton (15) for the seventh. His fourth six brought up both his fifty and England’s first 200-plus total in this edition.
Earlier, England was 56-2 at the end of the power play after losing both openers. Jos Buttler continued his lean run with three, while Phil Salt made 28 off 15 balls. Jacob Bethell scored 23 before England slipped to 67-3 in the eighth over. Brook fell for a brisk cameo as Italy kept striking at regular intervals before Jacks took control.
Italy’s reply began poorly as Jofra Archer struck twice in the first over. Buttler then produced a sharp one-handed catch to dismiss Italy captain Harry Manenti off Overton.
Italy rebuilt from 22-3 through Ben Manenti and Justin Mosca. Ben Manenti smashed 60 off 25 balls, including six sixes and four fours, in a 92-run stand for the fourth wicket. Mosca was dismissed in the 15th over with the score at 135-5, caught in the deep off Adil Rashid.
Italy threatened a stunning upset when Grant Stewart and Jaspreet Singh plundered 21 runs off Rashid’s 17th over, leaving 30 needed from 21 balls. Stewart kept the chase alive with 45 off 23 deliveries, but the target proved out of reach as Italy was dismissed on the last ball.
The win ensured England’s progress to the Super Eights from Group C alongside the already-qualified West Indies. South Africa and India have also advanced to the next stage.
England v Italy | T20 World Cup 2026 | Match Highlights
