Strengths
One of their biggest strengths is the presence of experienced players. This is the first time Italy will be in a WC but most of their players like Madsen, Smuts, Manenti, Grant Stewart are seasoned
players who have played a lot of domestic cricket in different countries.
Weaknesses
They lack a proper wicket taking spin option which might comeback to haunt them. The bowling looks a bit vulnerable and that is an area of weakness for them.
X Factor
Thomas Draca could be the X factor for Italy in this World Cup. A right arm pacer who has picked up ten wickets in eight matches. He was also picked up by MI Emirates in the ILT20 and has done well for Brampton Wolves in Canada T20 League. Watch out for him in this WC.
Preferred Playing XI
Justin Mosca, Anthony Mosca, JJ Smuts(c), Wayne Madsen, Harry Manenti, Ben Manenti, Grant Stewart, Gian Meade(w), Jaspreet Singh, Crishan Kalugamage, Thomas Draca
Key Players to Watch
JJ Smuts – Former South African all-rounder who has played T20Is. He has scored 197 runs in 15 T20I matches. He can also bowl left-arm spin so he will provide them with a quality all-round option in this World Cup.
Ben Manenti – He has scored 205 runs in 49 T20s and also picked up 25 wickets. He is a big striker in the lower middle order with the bat an bowls off-spin. He has played plenty of cricket in Australian domestic circuit and also played for Sydney Sixers in the BBL.
T20 World Cup history Snapshot
This is the first time that Italy has qualified for an ICC World Cup.
World Cup 2026 Fixtures
9th FEB vs Scotland 12th FEB vs Nepal 16th FEB vs England 19th FEB vs West Indies
Italy Squad T20 World Cup 2026
Wayne Madsen ©, Marcus Campopiano, Gian Piero Meade, Zain Ali, Ali Hasan, Crishan Jorge, Harry Manenti, Anthony Mosca, Justin Mosca, Syed Naqvi, Benjamin Manenti, Jaspreet Singh, JJ Smuts, Grant Stewart, Thomas Draca.
Read More : Pakistan announce squad for WT20 a day after boycott call from Mohsin Naqvi
