Kolkata, February 16, 2026 — If you had told a sports fan five years ago that England and Italy would be playing a "must-win" World Cup group game at Eden Gardens, they would have directed you to the nearest football pitch. But today, the world of cricket stood still as the "Azzurri" and the "Three Lions" traded blows in a pulsating ICC Men’s T20 World Cup encounter that will be remembered long after the tournament ends.
England ultimately secured a 24-run victory to qualify for the Super Eights, but the scoreline tells only half the story. This wasn't just a win; it was a survival.
The Venue: From San Siro to Eden Gardens
Kolkata is a city that breathes football as much as cricket. It was perhaps the only place in the world where the irony of an England-Italy cricket clash felt perfectly at home. King Exchange As the sun set over the Hooghly River, the iconic stadium wasn't just hosting a match; it was hosting a piece of history—the first-ever international cricket meeting between these two European nations.
Jacks to the Rescue
After winning the toss, England’s Harry Brook elected to bat, looking to flex his side’s muscle. However, Italy—the lowest-ranked team in the competition—refused to follow the script. Jos Buttler’s lean run continued as he fell for just 3, and England found themselves wobbling at 105/5.
Then came the "Will Jacks Storm." The Surrey powerhouse blasted an unbeaten 53 off just 22 balls, breaking Eoin Morgan’s record for the fastest T20 World Cup fifty by an Englishman. Alongside Sam Curran, Jacks propelled England to 202/7. At that point, many thought the game was over.
The Italian Job: A Scare for the Ages
Italy’s chase started in disaster. Jofra Archer, bowling with the fire and pace that made him a world-beater, took two wickets in the very first over. But Italy, fresh off a historic 10-wicket win against Nepal, possessed a spirit that wouldn't break.
The Manenti brothers led the resistance. Ben Manenti played an innings of pure, unadulterated aggression, smashing 60 off 25 balls with six towering sixes. For a good thirty minutes, the silence in Eden Gardens was deafening as the English fielders looked at each other in disbelief.
When Grant Stewart took 21 runs off Adil Rashid in the 17th over, an upset was truly on the cards. Italy needed 30 from the final 21 balls—a manageable task in modern T20.
Experience Wins Out
In the end, it was Sam Curran’s death-bowling masterclass that saved England’s blushes. Using his variations and experience, he snuffed out the tail, finishing with 3/22 and ensuring England didn't become the victim of the greatest upset in cricket history.
The Verdict: Cricket’s Global Growth
While England marches on to the Super Eights, Italy leaves Kolkata with their heads held high. They didn't just compete; they forced a two-time world champion to play at their absolute limit to survive.
Today in Kolkata, we saw more than just a cricket match. We saw the expansion of a sport. The Azzurri might be famous for their blue jerseys on the grass of Rome, but today, they proved they belong on the dirt of a cricket pitch too.
Final Score:
England: 202/7 (20 overs)
Italy: 178/10 (20 overs)
Result: England wins by 24 runs.
