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World Cup debutants Italy look to make more history in Kolkata

Published

5 hours ago

2026/02/9

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Richie Berrington was in fine form against West Indies [Cricinfo]

Italy’s first men’s World Cup appearance arrives with a level of attention the team has rarely experienced. Coverage back home has widened and television exposure is expected to follow as matches go out live. This T20 World Cup, there are lots of eyes on them, helped by the novelty of the occasion and the promise of their squad.

Former South Africa international JJ Smiuts brings firepower and experience. Ben Manenti comes in after a strong BBL campaign with Sydney Sixers and a frugal economy rate of under six. His brother Harry can go big. The Mosca brothers – Justin and Anthony – as openers have a strong understanding of each others’ games. Thomas Draca has the potential to be an X-factor. And 42-year-old captain Wayne Madsen has decades of experience under his belt across different cultures to hold it all together.

On the eve of the game, Madsen said that they’re done soaking in the occasion. It’s action time now, and standing in front of Italy are Scotland, a team they took down during the Europe Qualifier for the World Cup.

Scotland’s opening-day defeat to West Indies showed promise but also frustration. They threatened to gain control in phases but they missed their opportunities along the way. The positive is the turnaround for the Italy game is under 48 hours, and they have the advantage of being able to brush that defeat off. They are also familiar with Eden Gardens.

Scotland – also the higher-ranked T20I side – possibly start off as favourites since former captain Joe Burns and batter Emilio Gay are not part of this squad, but Italy won’t back down from turning a historic game into an unforgettable one.

Former South Africa international JJ Smuts is possibly Italy’s biggest batting trump card. His clean-hitting can travel far at Eden Gardens, and his years between 2017 and 2021 bring an experience that is irreplaceable in the Italy camp. At 37, he couldn’t even fathom playing another World Cup, but his qualification via marriage to play for Italy has given a late boost to his motivations, and he wants to leave a mark in India.

George Munsey, occasionally called the reverse-sweeping demon, always finds a way to score runs. His crisp shots with the new ball always makes him dangerous in the powerplay, and he is threatening against the spinners with his sweeps. Against West Indies, he dazzled with three fours in a quick-fire start of 19, and looked good for more on that pitch, but his innings was cut short courtesy a magical catch from Shimron Hetmyer. A strong start from Munsey makes Scotland an even more dangerous side.

Italy are expected to field both sets of brothers. After the Moscas up top, Smuts and Wadsen will follow. The Manentis will look to finish the innings. Crishan Kalugamage could be their attacking right-arm wristspinner.

Italy (possible): Anthony Mosca, Justin Mosca, JJ Smuts, Wayne Madsen (capt), Harry Manenti, Ben Manenti, Gian-Piero Meade (wk), Marcus Campopiano, Jaspreet Singh, Crishan Kalugamage, Ali Hasan

Could 19-year-old seamer Zainullah Ihsan get a debut for Scotland? Otherwise, Scotland are likely to field the same XI, barring any last-minute niggles.

Scotland (possible): George Munsey, Michael Jones, Brandon McMullen, Richie Berrington (capt), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross (wk), Mark Watt, Michael Leask, Oliver Davidson, Safyaan Sharif, Brad Currie

[Cricinfo]

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Canada look for early splash against favourites South Africa

Published

1 hour ago

2026/02/9

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Dewald Brevis will want to re-create the SA20 magic at the T20 World Cup [Cricinfo]

There isn’t a “favourite in this tournament”, Kagiso Rabada insisted on the day before the opening game of the T20 World Cup 2026. It was a thought echoed by Aiden Markram, who felt “an upset can happen” in T20Is, which may be true in theory. In practice, though, South Africa will begin their T20 World Cup as overwhelming favourites against Canada in Ahmedabad.

South Africa came as close to winning a T20 World Cup as ever before in 2024, falling heart-breakingly short in the final. Nine of the 15 who were part of the squad then are back again, and South Africa will hope to go one step further this time around. It’s not been easy for South Africa since that final in Barbados. Granted they haven’t always played at full strength in T20Is, but since July 2024, South Africa have lost 20 out of 32 T20Is.

Between the two editions, South Africa have also lost Heinrich Klaasen, who retired from international cricket. But the good news is that they have found a solid replacement in Dewald Brevis, while Quinton de Kock has looked in sensational touch since his u-turn on ODI retirement. South Africa have a settled top-order, with captain Markram and de Kock leading the front, and in Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi, they have one of the best fast-bowling attacks. They are also coming into the tournament following a 2-1 series win against West Indies at home.

South Africa play three of their four group games in Ahmedabad, where the tracks are expected to be high-scoring. They will want to get a handle on the surface early as they target going deep into the tournament again.

For Canada, who are playing their second T20 World Cup, it is about trying to test the hierarchy. They have a new captain in Dilpreet Baiwa, while former captain Nicholas Kirton is also part of the setup. They lost both their warm-up games – to Italy and Nepal – but have enough power in the squad to challenge the best.

In Saad Bin Zafar, Jaskaran Singh and Navneet Dhaliwal, Canada have experience, while the likes of Yuvraj Samra and Bajwa will provide the youthful energy. The opening day showed that the Associates are no pushovers and Canada will try to continue the trend

Dewald Brevis has come a long way since he announced himself at the 2022 Under-19 World Cup. An IPL contract followed, he was fast-tracked into the national setup, but did not quite do justice to that talent. Brevis has now gone back to playing like he did at 19 and the runs are starting to flow. He was the second highest run scorer at the SA20 2026, which included a sensational century in the final. He had a lukewarm T20I series against West Indies but is a crucial part of the South Africa middle-order. Watch out for those no-look sixes.

At 19, Yuvraj Samra might be the youngest of the 15 members in the Canada squad but he’s made a strong case. He’s hit 27 sixes in just 16 T20Is and boasts a career-strike rate of 160.72, which balloons to 194.57 when opening batting. He opened in the two warm-up games, and while Canada were on the wrong side of the result both times, he showed glimpses of his power in a 23-ball 33 against Italy. Samra is yet to play an international game against a Full Member nation.

South Africa are deciding between Jason Smith and Tristan Stubbs for the finisher’s role. Smith played all three T20Is against West Indies and scored a ten-ball 26 in the third game. Stubbs, meanwhile, was a late inclusion into the quad after Donovan Ferreira was ruled out due to a fractured shoulder. South Africa might go with four fast bowlers, Jansen, Rabada, Nortje and Ngidi, with Keshav Maharaj the lone spinner.

South Africa (probable): Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram (capt), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs/Jason Smith, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi

Shreyas Movva had an excellent warm-op game against Nepal and could get the nod ahead of Harsh Thaker. Samra and Bajwa are expected to open the batting.

Canada (probable): Dilpreet Bajwa (capt), Yuvraj Samra, Navneet Dhaliwal, Nicholas Kirton, Shreyas Movva, Kanwarpal Tathgur (wk), Jaskaran Singh, Saad Bin Zafar, Shivam Sharma, Dilon Heyliger, Kaleem Sana

[Cricinfo]

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Italy opt to bowl; Scotland play Brad Wheal

Published

2 hours ago

2026/02/9

Priyan

Crishan Kalugamage in action

Wayne Madsen called it right at the toss in Italy’s men’s T20 World Cup debut and opted to chase against Scotland at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Italy qualified by virtue of finishing second in the T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier, and Madsen said that their camps in Dubai and then in Chennai have made them ready for the big stage. The Mosca brothers – Anthony and Justin – will open the batting for them with the Manenti brothers – Harry and Ben – lining up at Nos. 5 and 6.

Crishan Kalugamage, one of those key players in Italy’s pathway to qualification, will provide heft to the bowling, with Thomas Draca providing the X-factor with his right-arm fast. They start their T20 World Cup journey against Scotland, a side they beat at the Europe Qualifier.

Scotland showed spurts of brilliance in their opening game against West Indies a couple of days ago, but couldn’t sustain it for long. They made one change to their team, bringing in experienced quick Brad Wheal in place of Safyaan Sharif.

A new pitch was being used for this game with one square boundary (57m) being significantly shorter than the other (69m). Samuel Badree observed the pitch and said there could be a bit of “preparation moisture” which could assist seam but there was an even covering of grass which could make the track a belter.

Scotland: George Munsey, Michael Jones, Brandon McMullen, Richie Berrington (capt), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross (wk), Mark Watt, Michael Leask, Oliver Davidson, Brad Wheal, Brad Currie

Italy: Anthony Mosca, Justin Mosca, JJ Smuts, Wayne Madsen (capt), Harry Manenti, Ben Manenti, Grant Stewart, Gian-Piero Meade (wk), Crishan Kalugamage, Thomas Draca, Ali Hasan

(Cricinfo)

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Zimbabwe look to hit the ground running vs Oman

Published

4 hours ago

2026/02/9

Priyan

Aamir Kaleem was handed a late recall to the Oman squad [Cricinfo]

Could the T20 Wprld Cup 2026 be a tournament for the underdog? The early signs are promising. Netherlands came a dropped catch away from a monumental upset of Pakistan, while USA had India on the ropes until a god-tier Suryakumar Yadav intervention saved the giants.

Now, the spotlight shifts to the SSC in Colombo, where Oman will be hoping to go one better when they square off against Zimbabwe in a high-stakes Group B encounter.

It is a contest made more intriguing as a repeat of their warm up clash just four days prior. There, Oman issued a stern signifier of their intentions, chasing down a formidable 187 with four wickets to spare. This followed an equally impressive five wicket dispatching of a Sri Lanka A side.

For those paying attention, Oman’s ascent is no fluke. Since becoming an ICC Affiliate in 2000, they have evolved from a regional side into a four-time T20 World Cup participant (2016, 2021, 2024, and 2026). After qualifying as runners-up in the East Asia Pacific Qualifier, they enter this tournament with a ranking that has climbed to 18th in the world, and despite a winless Rising Stars Asia Cup campaign they offered up some fight against India A.

For the “Chevrons” that warm-up loss was a bucket of cold water. Zimbabwe’s run-up to the tournament has been a mixed bag: despite an undefeated Africa Region Qualifier campaign, they managed just one win in November’s tri-series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and suffered a home whitewash against Afghanistan.

However, the longer view remains hopeful. This is a side that finally broke a string of first-round eliminations in 2022 – highlighted by a famous defeat of Pakistan – and they are desperate to erase the memory of failing to qualify in 2024. Now they’re back with a squad largely on the right side of 30, and one anchored by the supreme experience afforded by a trio of near-40-year-olds – Sikander Raza, Brandon Taylor and Graeme Cremer.

Over recent years, they’ve shown the ability to hang with the best, now is when they will hope to bring it all together. Oman. meanwhile. want to show they’re ready for the big time. Two sides with something to prove, it’s what the T20 World Cup is all about.

An experienced, versatile asset, Aamir Kaleem’s 2026 World Cup campaign is the an unlikely story of resurgence. Initially serving as the national U-19 coach, and left out of the World Cup squad, the 44-year-old was handed a late injury recall and immediately proved his worth by smashing a match-winning 80 off 47 balls against Sri Lanka A in the warm-ups. Providing explosive power at the top of the order and disciplined left-arm spin, the veteran’s skillset and composure – along with his impact in the dressing room – could prove vital in Oman’s giant-slaying ambitions.

At 22, Brian Benett is undoubtedly the future of Zimbabwean cricket, but such has been his impact as late he is also very much the present. In the warm-up game against Oman, he struck a 28-ball 56, which is not surprising when you take his recent form – over the past 10 games, he’s struck at 152.25 and averages 40.50. Against Associate nations this number balloons, striking at 187.31 and averaging 48.84. He is set to be the cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s 2026 T20 World Cup campaign, and they will be banking on another fast start to set them on their way.

Zimbabwe (probable XI): Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brendan Taylor (wk), Sikandar Raza (capt), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga,7 Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Tinotenda Maposa, Richard Ngarava

Oman (probable XI): Jatinder Singh (capt), Aamir Kaleem, Hammad Mirza, Karan Sonavale, Wasim Ali, 6Vinayak Shukla (wk), Jiten Ramanandi, Nadeem Khan, Shah Faisal, Shakeel Ahmed, Jay Odedra

[Cricinfo]