Ex-Aussie Test star leads Italy to first T20 World Cup

Italy fumbled their way out of the last two soccer World Cup qualifying campaigns, but their cricket counterparts have smashed their way into uncharted territory by booking a maiden Twenty20 World Cup berth.

The Azzurri, led by former Australian Test bat and BBL star Joe Burns, sealed qualification for the first time ever for the minnows, sneaking through the European qualifiers on Friday.

Despite losing their final match against the Netherlands, the result suited both teams perfectly.

Italy needed only to avoid a heavy defeat to secure their historic spot thanks to a superior net run rate and that is exactly what unfolded.

Setting a modest target of 135 for victory, they watched the Dutch cruise home in 16.2 overs, a margin narrow enough to send both teams through to the 2026 tournament.

In the qualifying tournament at The Hague, Queenslander Burns made scores of 30 (against Guernsey), eight (Scotland) and 22 (Netherlands).

Scotland, veterans of six previous T20 World Cup editions, were the big losers, failing to secure their spot for the 20-team tournament, losing to Jersey who chased down 134 in a last-ball victory. But Scotland also needed Italy to win.

The 2026 tournament will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with five additional qualification spots still up for grabs from Africa and the Asia-East Asian Pacific regions.

TEAMS QUALIFIED FOR 2026 T20 WORLD CUP:

Sri Lanka (co-hosts), India (co-hosts), Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, United States, West Indies, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Canada, the Netherlands, Italy.