Italy are set to script history as they prepare to make their maiden appearance at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, a moment that marks a major milestone for cricket in the country. Their qualification saw a dramatic campaign in the European regional finals, where Italy drew level on points with Jersey, but progressed on a clean sweep and held their nerve in a can’t-lose final against the Netherlands.
It was a campaign defined by faith, discipline and composure under pressure. The central figure of this journey was Joe Burns. The former Australia opener played a key rolescoring crucial runs, including a century of the highest individual score in Italy T20Is, and leading the team during the qualifiers.
Burns’ experience and calm presence helped Italy punch above their weight against stronger, more established sides. However, despite his contribution, Burns will not be part of the squad for the World Cup, with availability and selection dynamics ruling him out of the tournament.
Italy now head to the global stage under new management and will face Scotland, England, West Indies and Nepal in the group stage. For a team built largely on the associated cricket trails, stepping onto the World Cup stage against full-fledged nations is a moment of immense pride.
Regardless of the results, Italy’s presence at the T20 World Cup is a powerful statement about how far the game has come and how far belief can take a team.
Here’s more on Italy’s star players in the T20 World Cup
Wayne Madsen
Wayne Madsen has built a long and varied cricket career across many countries and formats. Born in Durban in 1984, the right-handed batsman later became eligible to represent Italy through family roots and made his T20I debut in 2023.
He has been a key figure for Derbyshire in English county cricket since 2009 and has also featured in global T20 leagues including the PSL, The Hundred, SA20 and the BPL. At the end of 2025, Madsen was named Italy’s captain ahead of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Madsen also represented South Africa in field hockey, earning 39 caps and appearing at both the 2006 Men’s Ice Hockey World Championship and the Commonwealth Games.
JJ Smuts
Jon-Jon “JJ” Smuts, born in September 1988 in Grahamstown, South Africa, is an all-round batsman who now represents Italy in international cricket after qualifying through permanent residency. He played 13 T20Is and six ODIs for South Africa between 2017 and 2021 before joining Italy, bringing experience with the bat as well as slow orthodox left-arm spin.
Domestically, Smuts featured for Eastern Province, Warriors, Dolphins, Durban’s Super Giants, Eastern Cape Sunrisers, Nelson Mandela Bay Giants and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in leagues such as the SA20 and Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
Ben Manenti
Ben Manenti played for the Sydney Sixers in the BBL. Courtesy: Getty Images
Ben Manenti has become a vital all-rounder for Italy, contributing with an outstanding right arm and lower-order batting. Born in March 1997 in Sydney, he qualified for Italy through his heritage and made his T20I debut in July 2023 against Ireland.
In 8 T20Is, Manenti has scored 93 runs and taken 3 wickets, providing experience and versatility while anchoring Italy’s spin attack in qualifiers and T20 competitions.
Domestically, he played for the Sydney Sixers, South Australia, Tasmania and Adelaide Strikers in the BBL, Sheffield Shield, Marsh One-Day Cup and other T20 leagues.
Anthony Mosca
Anthony Mosca has quietly become one of Italy’s reliable batting mainstays in recent years. Born in 1991, the top-order right-handed batsman has been representing Italy in T20 Internationals from 2022 and has been performing consistently in European qualifiers and ICC Challenge League matches.
Known for his composure and shot selection, Mosca adds stability to the lineup. At club level he played for Roma Capannelle Cricket Club and Wolves in Italy and also made his mark overseas with Alfreton in England’s Derbyshire Premier League.
Justin Mosca
Justin Mosca has established himself as a reliable fixture in the Italian international batting line-up in recent seasons. Born in 1994, the left-handed batsman has been representing Italy in T20 Internationals since 2022 and has earned a reputation for positive intent and clean hitting at the top of the order.
He scored 381 T20I runs, including a top score of 72, with key contributions in European qualifiers and ICC competitions. Mosca’s career to date has largely been focused on international cricket with Italy rather than the franchise leagues.
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Harry Manenti
Born in 2000 in Australia, Harry Manenti has quickly established himself as a dynamic all-rounder for the Italian national cricket team. The right-handed batsman and right-arm medium-fast bowler made his T20 Internationals debut for Italy in July 2022 and was instrumental in their campaigns, including the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
Domestically, Manenti played for South Australia, Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League and club sides such as Pint Cricket Club, Toombul, Valley, Adelaide Strikers Academy, Adelaide Aces and Wolves, gaining experience across formats.
Jaspreet Singh
Born in Phagwara, Punjab, Jaspreet Singh became a key player in the Italian national cricket team. The right-arm fast medium bowler and skilful lower-order batsman made his T20I debut against Norway on 15 June 2019 and has since been a regular in Italy’s T20I and List A squads.
Singh played a key role in European qualifiers and ICC competitions. At home, he represents Bergamo Cricket Club in the Italian leagues, competing in the ECS and T10 tournaments.
Zain Ali
Zain Ali is a budding all-rounder in cricket for Italy, born on 17 December 2001. The right-arm pacer has become a regular in the Italian setup and has been performing strongly in European T10 and T20 competitions.
Ali’s big hitting and useful bowling helped Italy compete in several regional qualifiers and European Cricket Series events and he took 4 wickets in T20Is, including a best of 3/16. Domestically, he played for Roma Cricket Club and Cividate, where he competes in European T10 leagues and regional qualifiers.
Syed Naqvi
Syed Naqvi, born on January 2, 2002, is an exciting all-rounder for Italy, known for his right-handed batting and right-arm medium-fast bowling. Since his debut in 2023, he has been a key contributor in T20 Internationals, delivering consistent performances with bat, ball and in the field.
Domestically, Naqvi featured for Pak I Care Badalona, Fresh Tropical, Gamblers SC and Markhor Milano, competing in European T10 and regional T20 leagues and gaining valuable experience in competitive affiliate cricket tournaments.
Marcus Campiano
Marcus Campopiano from Italy in action. Courtesy: Getty Images
Italy’s Marcus Campopiano is making waves with his all-round skills, combining aggressive right-handed batting, nimble off-spin and sharp wicketkeeping. He has been a reliable performer since his T20I debut in 2022, scoring a top score of 87 with a strike rate of over 120.
On the domestic stage, Campopiano represented East Molesey and played in European Regional Qualifiers, ICC Europe T20 World Cup Qualifiers and T10/T20 leagues, gaining valuable experience while helping Italy compete strongly in associated cricket tournaments.
Gian Meade
Gian Meade has emerged as one of Italy’s most reliable cricketers, combining a gritty bat with medium-pace bowling. Born on 19 March 1996 in South Africa, he joined the Italian side in 2019 and became a T20I mainstay. In 35 T20Is, Meade scored over 300 runs with a top score of 59 and claimed 9 wickets, including a career best of 3/18, adding valuable depth to Italy’s batting and bowling line-ups.
He also played domestically for Italian clubs in the ICC Europe T20 World Cup Qualifiers and European T10/T20 leagues where he gained crucial experience.
Ali Hasan
Ali Hasan quickly established himself as a key bowler for Italy, known for his left-arm medium-fast bowling and lower-order hitting. Born on 29 October 2002, he made his T20Is debut in 2022, taking 8 wickets at an economy of 4.15 with a best figure of 3/9 and was instrumental in European qualifiers and associated cricket matches.
Domestically, Hasan played for Zurich Nomads and Jinnah Brescia where he competed in European T20/T10 leagues and regional qualifiers and gained valuable experience in affiliated tournaments.
Grant Stewart
Italy’s Grant Stewart in action. Courtesy: Getty Images
Grant Stewart has established himself as a key all-rounder for Italy, combining powerful right-arm batting with reliable right-arm medium pace bowling. Born on 19 February in Kalgoorlie, Australia, he qualified for Italy through his heritage and made his T20I debut in October 2021. In 20 T20Is, Stewart scored 473 runs at an average of 30.5, with a top score of 76, and took 17 wickets, including a best of 3/21.
He played domestically for Kent County Cricket Club and had loan spells in Sussex where he featured in the County Championship, Vitality Blast, Royal London Cup and other T20 leagues.
Thomas Draco
Thomas Draca has quickly emerged as one of Italy’s most exciting pace prospects, impressing with his right-arm medium pace, control and wicket-taking ability. Born on 23 October 2000 in Sydney, he made his T20I debut in June 2024 and has already taken 11 wickets in nine matches, with best figures of 3/9, making him a key figure in the European qualifiers.
Draca represents Italy at international level and has featured for Brampton Wolves (Global T20 Canada), MI Emirates (ILT20) and Lumbini Lions and Caribbean Tigers in various T20 leagues.
Crishan Kalugamage
Crishan Kalugamage has emerged as a key spin weapon for Italy, troubling the batsmen with his deft right-arm break and consistent wicket-taking ability. Born on 16 June 1991 in Sri Lanka, he qualified through residency and made his T20I debut in July 2022.
In 18 T20Is, Kalugamage took 20 wickets at an average of 18.15, including best figures of 4/17, playing a vital role in Italy’s European qualifiers and international campaigns.
Domestically, he represents Roma Cricket Club and has featured in the European XI in the European T10 and T20 leagues while gaining experience in associated cricket tournaments.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
February 4, 2026
