After their remarkable win over Scotland, Italy captain Joe Burns believes his emotionally charged squad understands just how close they are to sealing a historic spot at the 2026 T20 World Cup, with just one more hurdle left—a final group-stage clash against the Netherlands.
A splendid all-round display from Harry Manenti helped Italy pull off a memorable 12-run win over Scotland, significantly boosting their chances of reaching the global tournament, set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka next year.
A win over the Netherlands on Friday will guarantee Italy a direct qualification. Even in the case of a narrow defeat, Italy could still progress, depending on the net run rate and the outcome of the match between Jersey and Scotland—provided neither side secures a huge win.
Italy currently top the points table with a healthy net run rate of 1.722, far ahead of Jersey (0.430) and Scotland (-0.150), who are third and fourth respectively.
Burns, who previously represented Australia before turning to play for Italy, said the moment felt “very surreal” as the team stands on the brink of making history by potentially qualifying for the T20 World Cup for the first time.
“I’m incredibly proud of the boys,” said Burns. “To beat a strong side like Scotland is a massive reward for all the hard work, sacrifices, and support from our players, staff, and the federation. This could be the beginning of something big. There’s a lot of emotion in the group right now—being one step away from a World Cup? It’s hard to put into words.”
If Italy manages to beat the Netherlands, net run rate calculations become irrelevant. They will qualify directly, alongside the winner of Jersey vs Scotland. The only exception would be if that fixture is washed out, in which case further scenarios may come into play.
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