Italy have created history by qualifying for next yearโs Twenty20 World Cup, their maiden entry to the tournament. They were beaten in their last game with Netherlands on Friday in Hague but their NRR was decent enough to secure a berth in the mega event in India and Sri Lanka next year.
The final day of the Europe Qualifiers was an exciting affair as Netherlands, Italy, Scotland and Jersey vied for qualification heading into the last two matches. Eventually, both the Netherlands and Italy punched the ticket for the marquee event.
Restricted to 134 for 7, Italy needed to hold Netherlands for at least 14 overs in order to make the cut. Italy pipped Jersey, who had defeated Scotland earlier in the day, on the virtue of a superior NRR .
Michael Levitt and Max OโDowd bossed the PowerPlay to take the momentum away from Italy but the visitors did not fold under ppressue, making sure to stretch the game till the 17th over to help themselves book a berth to the marquee competition.
๐ฎ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐จ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐คฉ
Italy will make their first-ever appearance in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup ๐#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/sqN3ICFVfH
โ ICC (@ICC) July 11, 2025
In the first innings, the experienced Roelof van der Merwe showed his caliber, helping Netherlands limit Italy to a moderate total thanks to his commendable figures of 3 for 15 in four overs.
Italy kept losing wickets at regular intervals and couldnโt get a partnership going to sustain the innings as Kyle Kleinโs spell along with van der Merweโs tight bowling meant runs were given away at a premium.
A handy knock by Benjamin Manenti and a late assault from Grant Stewarts pushed Italy to a total of 134 for 7 in their 20 overs, which Netherlands eventually overhauled with ease, nonetheless it was adequate for Italy to qualify for their first-ever World Cup tournament.
15 teams have qualified for the ICC Menโs T20 World Cup 2026 hitherto; the Asia EAP qualifier will see three more sides advance while two further teams will come over from the Africa qualifier.
Teams qualified for the ICC Menโs T20 World Cup as on July 11 are: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, England, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, USA and West Indies.
