Italy Names 15-Member Squad for Historic T20 World Cup Debut
The Italian national cricket team (the Azzurri) has officially revealed its 15-member squad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. This marks a monumental milestone as Italy prepares for its first-ever appearance at a major ICC global tournament.
Leadership and Star Inclusions
The side will be led by the experienced Wayne Madsen. In a significant boost to their maiden campaign, the squad includes former South African all-rounder JJ Smuts, who brings valuable international experience to the team.
However, the squad announcement also featured some surprising omissions and absences:
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Injury News: Top-order batter Emilo Gay has unfortunately missed out on the selection due to injury.
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Selection Shock: Joe Burns, the former Australian Test player and ex-captain who played a key role in Italy's qualification, was notably left out of the final 15.
The Road to Qualification
Italy’s historic journey to the World Cup follows an exceptional performance in the ICC Men's European Qualifier. The team secured their spot by finishing behind the Netherlands, famously outplaying established sides like Scotland and Guernsey during the qualifying rounds.
World Cup Schedule and Group
The tournament is scheduled to take place from February 7 to March 8, 2026, hosted across India and Sri Lanka. Italy has been placed in Group C, facing a challenging path against some of the world's most successful cricket nations.
Group C Opponents:
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England
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West Indies
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Bangladesh
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Nepal
Italy's Opening Fixture: The Azzurri will kick off their campaign on February 9, 2026, against Bangladesh at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Official Italy Squad for T20 World Cup 2026
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Wayne Madsen (c)
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Zain Ali
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Marcus Campopiano (wk)
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Ali Hasan
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Crishan Kalugamage
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Harry Manenti
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Gian Piero Meade
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Anthony Mosca
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Justin Mosca
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Syed Naqvi
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Benjamin Manenti
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Jaspreet Singh
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JJ Smuts
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Grant Stewart
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Thomas Draca
Integration & Branding
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Source Credits: This news was first reported by A Sports, Pakistan's first HD sports channel.
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Visual Tip: Use a photo of the Italian cricket team celebrating their qualification or a graphic featuring Wayne Madsen and JJ Smuts in the blue Italian kit.