England vs Italy Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: England Beat Italy By 24 Runs To Qualify For T20 World Cup Super Eight

All eyes on Colombo now - That is it from this thrilling game, where England once again had to battle hard to get the points and seal qualification for the Super 8s, knocking Italy and Scotland out of contention. The action now moves from India to Sri Lanka, where Sri Lanka and Australia face off in Colombo in a clash that will shape Group B. That game gets underway shortly, with the hosts electing to bowl first, so you can simply switch tabs and enjoy all our coverage. Cheers!

The victorious skipper of England - Harry Brook starts by saying that they haven't played their best cricket but at the end of the day, they have made it through and are happy with it. Adds that it has been a bit of a trend for them in this tournament to let things slip with the bat but it is all about taking the right options. Brook reckons that they fielded really well and applauds the likes of Sam Curran and Will Jacks, who have stepped up in tricky situations. On giving Jofra Archer the extra over up top, Brook mentions that Jofra was on a heater at the start of the game and felt that they needed to make the most out of that fire and hence he was given 3 overs at the top. Ends by saying that they haven't been brave enough with the bat thus far and will look to do better as they now head to Sri Lanka.

The captain of Italy - Harry Manenti says they knew England were always going to come hard, and while Italy's plan to take wickets at regular intervals worked for a while, Will Jacks taking the game deep on a good batting surface made the difference. He feels England were about 15 to 20 runs above par in the end, and that proved costly. Manenti highlights the fight shown in the chase, especially the counter-attack from Benjamin Manenti and Justin Mosca, along with Grant Stewart's late surge, saying it reflects the belief growing within the group. He adds that pushing a top side like England so close gives Italy real confidence, even if they are still learning how to handle the big moments. Looking ahead, he says the focus now turns to the game against West Indies, where Italy will play with freedom and keep trying to show they belong at this level.

Time to hear from the captains now...

England hold on at the death - England made a strong start with the ball as Jofra Archer took two in his first over and Jamie Overton struck early as well. They then went quiet through the middle, with Liam Dawson tidy but Adil Rashid taken on despite picking up a wicket. The turning point was Will Jacks dismissing Benjamin Manenti, after which Sam Curran's excellent death bowling and Overton's three wickets got England over the line, though they will know they were pushed hard.

England's late overdrive - Electing to bat first, England posted a big total, but they had to work hard for it after slipping to 105 for 5 despite plenty of starts. Will Jacks then provided the late surge, just as he did against Nepal, smashing a 21-ball fifty, his maiden T20I half-century and the fastest by an English batter in a T20 World Cup, to lift England past 200. For Italy, Grant Stewart and Crishan Kalugamage picked up two wickets each but were expensive, while JJ Smuts was the standout with a tidy spell and a wicket. However, a costly final five overs, which went for 78, allowed England to run away with the momentum and that ultimately proved to be the difference.

A counter-attack that nearly stunned England - Not many would have given Italy a chance after England posted 202, but this World Cup has shown time and again that any team can challenge anyone. Italy lost three quick wickets early, but they refused to go away, launching a stunning counter-attack through Benjamin Manenti's incredible hitting and Justin Mosca's composure as the pair added 92 off 48 balls to haul them back into the contest. Manenti's dismissal for a 25-ball 60 came at a bad time and stalled the momentum, but Grant Stewart reignited the chase with a fiery 45 off 23. In the end, though, the target proved just a little too much for Italy to overhaul.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Will Jacks wins the award for his unbeaten 53 off 22 and the all important wicket of Benjamin Manenti. He says that they had spoken about keeping their intent up and knew it was a fast scoring ground, so they didn't quite know what a defendable score here was. On scoring his maiden T20I fifty, he says he feels happy to have gotten the half-century today and says that it was a long time coming. Further adds that there have been a few role changes for him and he is now settling nicely into this finisher role. On Benjamin Manenti's wicket, Jacks mentions that Manenti played really well, better than the English batters and he just tried to bowl full and straight to him, hoping for him to mishit one, which did happen. Adds that they now move to Sri Lanka, different conditions and feels that they need to adapt quickly to the challenge.

Italy win hearts, England take points - England have survived another scare in this World Cup, just about getting over the line to confirm their place in the Super 8s, though not in the most convincing fashion. Credit must go to Italy, who produced a tremendous fight, forcing Harry Brook into a few uncomfortable moments along the way, but while the decisive moments did not fall their way, they can certainly hold their heads high.

OUT! TIMBER! Jamie Overton finishes proceedings in style with the ball and England qualify for the Super 8 stage. Overton knows what's coming from Ali Hasan and goes full and straight. Hasan backs away, trying to drive but is beaten for a third ball in a row and this time, he hears the death rattle behind him as well. Overton ends with a double-wicket maiden and ENGLAND WIN BY 24 RUNS!

Another play and a miss. Back of a length, angled into the batter, Ali Hasan makes a lot of room leg side but fails to lay a bat on it yet again.

Short of a length and around off, Hasan backs away again and looks to go over point but is well beaten.

Very full, angled into middle and leg, Ali Hasan backs away and digs it out into the off side. Another dot ball.

Ali Hasan is the last man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! England are now just one wicket away from the win. Jamie Overton serves it back of a length and over the stumps. Jaspreet Singh backs away to take it on but is undone by the extra bounce. Jaspreet ends up slashing it high up in the air towards the short cover region. Will Jacks comes in from the edge of the circle and goes down on one knee to take the catch.

Banged in well short and outside off, moves away from the right-hander as well. Jaspreet Singh reaches out but is beaten by the extra bounce.

Jamie Overton (3-0-18-1) will bowl the last over. He has 24 runs to play with, and this should be England's game, unless a miracle happens.

A dot to end a brilliant over from Sam Curran and Italy need 25 off the final over. Another yorker-length delivery, angling in from outside off. Crishan Kalugamage jams it out to extra cover and the batters don't go for the run.

A sigh of relief for England. Crishan Kalugamage comes out to the middle now.

OUT! CAUGHT! Sam Curran is taking England to the Super 8, it seems and what a big wicket this is in the context of the game. Curran stays around the wicket and goes full and wide yet again, with pace-on. Grant Stewart hangs back and throws the hands at it but ends up slicing it off the outside edge. The ball goes quickly to the left of short third, where Liam Dawson moves across and takes a smart catch. Stewart's fighting knock of 45 off just 23 balls comes to an end.