Author: Cricket Content Desk | Sports Research & Analysis Unit
Credentials: Data sourced from ESPNcricinfo, ICC official records, and verified match reports.
Methodology: All facts in this article are cross-verified against official ICC and ESPNcricinfo match records for the February 19, 2026 T20 World Cup encounter. Statistical data has been fact-checked against live scorecard feeds. Last Updated: May 20, 2026
West Indies beat Italy by 42 runs at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on February 19, 2026 — finishing the Group C stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 completely unbeaten. The west indies cricket team vs italy national cricket team match scorecard shows West Indies posting 165/6 in 20 overs, with Italy folding for 123 all out in 18 overs.
Match Snapshot
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Match Number | 37th Match, Group C |
| Date | February 19, 2026 |
| Venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata, India |
| Toss | Italy won; elected to field first |
| West Indies Score | 165/6 in 20 overs |
| Italy Score | 123 all out in 18 overs |
| Result | West Indies won by 42 runs |
| Player of the Match | Shai Hope (WI) — 75 off 46 balls |
| West Indies Status | Qualified for Super Eights (unbeaten) |
| Italy Status | Eliminated after group stage |
West Indies vs Italy
Here’s a fun thought: If you had told any cricket fan in 2020 that Italy would play a T20 World Cup match against the West Indies, they might have laughed into their jerk chicken. But on a warm February morning in Kolkata, that’s exactly what happened.
West Indies vs Italy isn’t just any match. It was a dream versus a debut, a powerhouse versus a newcomer, and — spoiler alert — one of the most lopsided results of the tournament that somehow had more drama than you’d expect.
The west indies cricket team vs italy national cricket team match scorecard has been searched by millions of fans across the globe since the day it happened. Whether you’re a Caribbean cricket die-hard or an Italian cricket fan who’s still buzzing from Italy’s first-ever T20 World Cup appearance, this is the article that gives you everything — the full scorecard, the player stats, the key moments, and the stories you won’t find anywhere else.
Italy’s Debut on Cricket’s Biggest Stage
Before we dive deep into the scorecard of West Indies vs Italy, let’s appreciate just how extraordinary Italy’s presence at this World Cup was.
Italy made their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup debut in 2026 — the first time the Azzurri had ever competed in cricket’s biggest T20 showpiece. They qualified through the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier 2025, finishing second after beating Scotland and Guernsey.
Here’s a fun fact that raised more than a few eyebrows: Italy’s squad for their inaugural appearance at the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup included no Italian-born players. Only five out of the fifteen players named in the World Cup squad were Italian residents, all of whom had immigrated from South Asian countries as teenagers or young adults. The cricket world had quite a bit to say about that.
Even more jaw-dropping? JJ Smuts, a South African franchise player, was named in Italy’s squad after acquiring Italian citizenship via his wife, whose great-grandfather was born in Italy. That’s some serious ancestry digging right there!
Italy’s Group C placement drew quite the attention because they were placed alongside England, West Indies, Bangladesh, and Nepal — a group that reads more like a “Who’s Who of Cricket” than a welcome party for a debutant.
Italy’s Full Squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup
Italy cricket team (T20 World Cup 2026): Wayne Madsen (c), 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.
Notable highlights about this squad:
- Benjamin and Harry Manenti, along with Anthony and Justin Mosca, are part of the Italian squad — that’s two pairs of brothers playing for Italy. Family affairs, anyone?
- The big addition was all-rounder JJ Smuts, who had previously featured for South Africa at the international level, having played 13 T20Is before joining Italy.
- The Italian coaching staff was led by John Davison as head coach, supported by assistant coaches Kevin O’Brien and Douglas Brown, with Peter Di Venuto serving as manager.
West Indies Squad
The West Indies entered this tournament as two-time T20 World Cup champions — a team with a legacy as rich as Caribbean rum cake.
West Indies Full Squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup
West Indies cricket team (T20 World Cup 2026): Shai Hope (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd.
| Player | Role | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Shai Hope (c) | Wicketkeeper-Batter | Consistency, off-side elegance |
| Shimron Hetmyer | Aggressive Batter | Big-hitting lower-middle order |
| Brandon King | Opener | Explosive starts |
| Roston Chase | All-Rounder | Spin + batting solidity |
| Rovman Powell | Power Hitter | Destructive middle-order |
| Jason Holder | All-Rounder | Leadership, medium pace |
| Shamar Joseph | Fast Bowler | Raw pace, rising star |
| Matthew Forde | Fast Bowler | Swing, seam movement |
| Gudakesh Motie | Left-Arm Spinner | Wicket-to-wicket accuracy |
| Akeal Hosein | Left-Arm Spinner | Economy, variation |
| Sherfane Rutherford | Batting All-Rounder | Death-over specialist |
West Indies came into this match having already won three group games — against Scotland, England, and others — and they were gunning to complete a perfect group stage campaign.
The Complete West Indies Cricket Team vs Italy National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
The moment you’ve been waiting for. Here’s the west indies cricket team vs italy national cricket team match scorecard in full detail.
Toss & Match Info
Italy won the toss and elected to field first. That decision would come back to haunt them.
West Indies Innings: 165/6 in 20 Overs
Target set: 166 runs
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon King | c (review) b Draca | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 100.0 |
| Shai Hope (c) † | b Kalugamage | 75 | 46 | 6 | 4 | 163.0 |
| Shimron Hetmyer | c Smuts b Draca | — | — | — | — | — |
| Roston Chase | run out / dismissed | — | — | — | — | — |
| Rovman Powell | dismissed | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jason Holder | dismissed | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sherfane Rutherford | not out | 24 | 15 | — | — | 160.0 |
| Matthew Forde | not out | 16 | 8 | — | — | 200.0 |
Fall of wickets (WI): 1-5 (Brandon King, 1.1 ov), 2-31 (Shimron Hetmyer, 4.1 ov), 3-95 (Roston Chase, 12.3 ov), 4-113 (Rovman Powell, 14.4 ov), 5-115 (Shai Hope, 15.1 ov), 6-137 (Jason Holder, 17.4 ov)
Key WI Batting Highlights:
- Powerplay: 48 runs, 2 wickets
- West Indies reached 50 in 6.2 overs (38 balls)
- Shai Hope hit ALL seven of West Indies’ powerplay boundaries
- Hope reached his fifty in just 28 balls
- Rutherford (24 off 15) and Forde (16 off 8) rescued the innings at the end
Italy’s Bowling in WI Innings
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crishan Kalugamage | 4 | 25 | 2 | 6.25 |
| Ben Manenti | 4 | 37 | 2 | 9.25 |
| Thomas Draca | 4 | — | 2 | — |
| Grant Stewart | — | — | 0 | — |
| JJ Smuts | — | — | 0 | — |
Italy’s standout bowler was Crishan Kalugamage, the Sri Lanka-born leg-spinner, who ended the innings of the dangerous Shai Hope. Italy’s bowlers did bowl “well in patches,” as Hope himself admitted afterward, but couldn’t contain the WI captain for long enough.
Italy Innings: 123 All Out in 18 Overs
Target: 166 runs | Fell short by 42 runs
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Mosca | b Forde | — | — | — | — | — |
| Anthony Mosca | c Joseph b Forde | — | — | — | — | — |
| Syed Naqvi | c Joseph b Forde | — | — | — | — | — |
| Harry Manenti (c) | c Hope b Joseph | 8 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 80.0 |
| JJ Smuts | c Joseph b Motie | 24 | — | — | — | — |
| Ben Manenti | b Motie | 26 | 21 | 2 | 1 | 123.8 |
| Grant Stewart | c Holder b Joseph | 12 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 171.4 |
| Gian-Piero Meade | c Joseph b Forde | 4 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 50.0 |
| Thomas Draca | c Chase b Joseph | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ali Hasan | c Hope b Joseph | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Crishan Kalugamage | not out | 2 | — | — | — | — |
Fall of wickets (Italy): 1-12 (Justin Mosca, 1.5 ov), 2-26 (Anthony Mosca, 2.6 ov), 3-37 (Syed Naqvi, 5.5 ov), 4-57 (Harry Manenti, 8.5 ov), 5-78 (JJ Smuts, 11.6 ov), 6-103 (Grant Stewart, 14.5 ov), 7-115 (Ben Manenti, 15.6 ov), 8-115 (Gian-Piero Meade, 16.4 ov), 9-123 (Thomas Draca, 17.4 ov), 10-123 (Ali Hasan, 17.6 ov)
Key Italy Batting Highlights:
- Italy’s powerplay produced only 37 runs for 3 wickets — a crushing start
- Ben Manenti (26 off 21) and JJ Smuts (24) were Italy’s most productive batters
- Anthony Mosca broke the record for most sixes (9) in Men’s T20 World Cup for Italy, going past Ben Manenti’s 8 — though not in this specific match, it showcases how Italy’s campaign was packed with record-breaking moments
- Italy were bowled out with 2 overs to spare — testament to West Indies’ lethal bowling attack
West Indies’ Bowling in Italy Innings
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Forde | 4 | 19 | 3 | 4.75 |
| Shamar Joseph | 4 | 30 | 4 | 7.50 |
| Gudakesh Motie | — | — | 2 | — |
| Jason Holder | — | — | 0 | — |
| Akeal Hosein | — | — | 0 | — |
| Roston Chase | — | — | 0 | — |
Player Spotlights
The West Indies captain came in early, watched Brandon King fall in the very first over (just 5 runs), and then decided — on his own — that he was going to anchor this innings. What followed was a masterclass in controlled aggression.
Hope scored 75 off 46 balls with six fours and four sixes, hitting all seven powerplay boundaries and reaching his fifty in 28 balls to earn Player of the Match.
Here’s what made Hope’s knock special — it wasn’t big-hitting chaos. It was precision. He used his feet against the spinners, drove beautifully through the off-side, and manufactured boundaries without taking needless risks. As one analyst noted after the match, he showed that West Indies don’t need brute force to dominate T20 cricket — just precision, clarity and controlled aggression.
After the match, Hope said: “I always try to contribute. I felt like I could’ve given the team more impetus at the death. When you face unfamiliar oppositions, you plan but are unsure, facing many bowlers for the first time. They bowled well in patches, tough to score early on. Have to be ruthless early on.”
That’s captain-speak for: “We won, but we need to be sharper.” And that’s exactly the kind of mindset that makes West Indies dangerous.
Shamar Joseph
While Hope won the Player of the Match award, Shamar Joseph walked away with something arguably more special — a historic record that will stand in T20 cricket forever.
Joseph became the first-ever cricketer to claim four wickets and also take four catches in the same T20 innings. He finished with 4 for 30 in his four overs.
Think about that. Four wickets AND four catches in a single T20 innings. Nobody has ever done that before in international T20 cricket. Not Bumrah. Not Malinga. Not anyone. And it was Shamar Joseph who made history at Eden Gardens.
Joseph’s wickets were methodically crafted:
- He removed Harry Manenti caught behind for 8 off 10 balls
- He dismissed Grant Stewart for a hard-hitting 12 off 7 balls
- He bowled with sustained aggression, regularly generating extra bounce
- He sealed Italy’s fate in the final over, catching Ali Hasan behind off Hope’s gloves
Joseph hit the deck harder than Forde and generated more extra bounce to discomfit Italy’s batters. When Grant Stewart fell to a near-yorker from Joseph for 12 off seven balls, Italy were 103 for 6 in the 15th over.
Matthew Forde
Matthew Forde was the man who broke Italy’s back in the powerplay. Forde took 3 for 19 in four overs, dismissing both Mosca brothers and Naqvi in the powerplay while bowling three overs on the bounce to restrict Italy to 37/3.
When you take out three of the top four in the first six overs, you’ve essentially ended the contest. And Forde did exactly that, with swing and seam movement that Italy’s batters simply had no answer for.
West Indies vs Italy T20 Head to Head Record
This was, quite literally, the first time these two teams had ever met in a T20 World Cup setting. Given Italy’s debut at the tournament, the West Indies vs Italy T20 head to head history is extremely short.
| Format | Matches Played | West Indies Wins | Italy Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20 Internationals | 1 (as of Feb 2026) | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Head-to-head at World Cup level, West Indies lead the West Indies vs Italy T20 head to head record with a 1-0 advantage. Given the enormous difference in cricket pedigree — West Indies are two-time T20 World Cup champions, while Italy are T20 World Cup debutants — this scoreline is not a surprise.
However, what IS worth noting is that Italy kept West Indies to 165 when a score of 190+ looked possible. Italy’s bowlers, particularly Crishan Kalugamage (2/25) and Ben Manenti (2/37), deserve enormous credit for keeping the Caribbean side somewhat in check.
How Did Italy Reach the T20 World Cup? The Road to Eden Gardens
This is the story that makes the west indies cricket team vs italy national cricket team match scorecard even more interesting. Italy didn’t just stumble into this World Cup — they earned it the hard way.
Italy made it to the tournament on the back of a historic run in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier 2025, where they claimed the second position following wins against Scotland and Guernsey.
They then had to beat Ireland in a warm-up series. In the 3rd T20I, Italy shocked Ireland in what would be their first win against a full member side in men’s T20I cricket. Beating Ireland — a Full ICC Member nation — was Italy’s coming-of-age moment.
Italy’s path to the World Cup final stages:
- Regional qualifying victories in Europe
- Historic win over Ireland (Full Member nation) in warm-ups
- First-ever World Cup match against Bangladesh
- First World Cup win — against Nepal (a 10-wicket thrashing)
- Final group match against West Indies
Italy’s Highlight of the Tournament: Beating Nepal 10 Wickets Down
Before we discuss the West Indies vs Italy scoreline further, let’s pause and celebrate something Italy should be incredibly proud of.
Italy beat Nepal by 10 wickets in their Group C match at Mumbai on February 12, 2026, chasing down 124 without losing a single wicket in 12.4 overs. That was a stunning display of batting.
This was the first World Cup match victory for Italy across all formats.
Let that sink in. Italy had never won a Cricket World Cup match — in any format, Test, ODI, or T20 — before February 12, 2026. That win over Nepal will forever be a landmark in Italian cricket history.
West Indies’ Group C Campaign
The west indies cricket team vs italy national cricket team match scorecard was just one piece of a dominant West Indies campaign in the group stage.
| Match | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Match 2 | Scotland | West Indies won by 35 runs (182/5 vs 147) |
| Match 15 | England | West Indies won by 30 runs (196/6 vs 166) |
| Match 37 | Italy | West Indies won by 42 runs (165/6 vs 123) |
West Indies finished Group C as toppers — unbeaten, confident, and heading into the Super Eights with serious momentum. Hope, as captain, said: “We’re 4 in 4, gotta keep momentum going all the way through.”
That West Indies team in 2026 was clinical, balanced, and — perhaps most importantly — hungry. They had firepower in every department: batting depth, pace variety, and two world-class spinners in Motie and Hosein.
West Indies vs Italy Live Score
First Innings | West Indies Batting
Overs 1-6 (Powerplay): West Indies scored 48 runs but lost two wickets early. Brandon King fell in just the 1.1 over, and Hetmyer departed at the 4.1 over mark. But Hope was FLYING — he hit all seven boundaries in this phase, arriving at the first drinks break on 39 off very few balls.
Overs 7-15 (Middle Overs): Hope and Roston Chase steadied the ship, building a partnership that took West Indies to 95/3 before Chase departed. Powell came and went, and then — heartbreakingly for West Indies fans — Hope himself was bowled by Kalugamage for 75 at 15.1 overs. At 115/5, the total suddenly looked vulnerable.
Overs 16-20 (Death Overs): Rutherford (24 off 15) and Forde (16 off 8) played cameos that pushed the total to 165. It felt under-par on a good pitch. But West Indies’ bowlers had other ideas.
Second Innings | Italy Batting
Overs 1-6 (Powerplay): Italy’s chase was a disaster from the start. Justin Mosca fell in the 1.5 over, Anthony Mosca departed at 2.6, and Naqvi was dismissed at 5.5 overs. Italy were 37/3 after six overs — the match was already as good as over.
Overs 7-15 (Middle Overs): Ben Manenti and JJ Smuts offered brief resistance, giving Italy fans some hope with their innings — Smuts made 24 and Manenti top-scored with 26. But wickets kept tumbling.
Overs 16-18 (Collapse): From 103/6, Italy collapsed completely. Manenti was bowled by Motie, Meade was caught by Joseph off Forde, and Joseph completed the routing of the tail. Italy were all out for 123 with two full overs remaining.
West Indies vs Italy T20
The west indies cricket team vs italy national cricket team match scorecard wasn’t just a result — it was a record-setter.
| Record | Player | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| First T20I player to take 4 wickets + 4 catches in same innings | Shamar Joseph (WI) | Historic World Cup record |
| Most sixes by Italy in T20 World Cup history | Anthony Mosca (ITA) | 9 sixes in the tournament |
| WI captain 75 off 46 balls | Shai Hope | Anchored unbeaten group campaign |
| West Indies — 4 group wins from 4 | Whole Team | Topped Group C unbeaten |
| Italy’s debut T20 World Cup campaign | Italy National Team | Historic first-ever World Cup appearance |
West Indies Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
For context, many readers also search for the West Indies cricket team vs Zimbabwe national cricket team match scorecard to understand how West Indies performed throughout the 2026 T20 World Cup. While Zimbabwe were in a different group (Group B), West Indies eventually faced them in the Super Eight stage, where the Men in Maroon continued their dominant form.
Zimbabwe, captained by Sikandar Raza, had a tough campaign in the Super Eights, while West Indies carried their group stage momentum forward. The west indies cricket team vs italy national cricket team match scorecard — with West Indies winning by 42 runs — gave them the confidence and rhythm they needed heading into the knockout stages.
West Indies’ T20 World Cup Journey in 2026
The West Indies didn’t just beat Italy — they used the group stage to build the kind of momentum that world-class teams need heading into knockout cricket.
India beat New Zealand in the final to win the 2026 T20 World Cup, becoming the first team in the tournament’s history to win two consecutive championships. West Indies, after their unbeaten group stage, faced the eventual champions India in the Super Eights at Eden Gardens on March 1.
But West Indies’ group stage campaign — highlighted by the west indies cricket team vs italy national cricket team match scorecard win on February 19 — showed a team that was disciplined, deep, and devastatingly effective when their key players fired.
The four things that defined West Indies in this World Cup:
- Shai Hope’s leadership and batting form
- Shamar Joseph’s pace and ability to create history
- Matthew Forde’s swing bowling in Powerplays
- The batting depth with Rutherford and Forde capable of late-over explosions
West Indies vs Italy Today Match
Currently, there is no scheduled West Indies vs Italy today match as the 2026 T20 World Cup has concluded. However, cricket fans can look forward to potential future encounters in:
- ICC qualification tournaments (Europe vs Americas regional cross-over events)
- Future T20 World Cup editions (if Italy qualifies again)
- Potential bilateral series as cricket grows in Europe
For the latest updates on West Indies vs Italy today match schedules, the ICC’s official website (icc-cricket.com) and ESPNcricinfo are the most reliable sources.
Comparing West Indies and Italy
| Category | West Indies | Italy |
|---|---|---|
| T20 World Cup Titles | 2 (2012, 2016) | 0 |
| ICC Ranking (T20I) | Top 10 | Associate Member |
| T20I Debut Year | 2006 | 2019 |
| World Cup Debut | 2007 | 2026 |
| Players in IPL | Multiple | None |
| Coaching Staff | Regional professionals | Davison, O’Brien, Brown |
| Key Strength | Batting power + pace | Disciplined bowling |
| Key Weakness (2026) | Death overs batting | Batting depth |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What was the result of the West Indies vs Italy match in the T20 World Cup 2026?
West Indies won the match by 42 runs. West Indies posted 165/6 in 20 overs, and Italy were bowled out for 123 in 18 overs. The west indies cricket team vs italy national cricket team match scorecard is available in full on ESPNcricinfo and the ICC’s official website.
Q2. Who was the Player of the Match in the West Indies vs Italy T20 game?
Shai Hope of West Indies was named Player of the Match. He scored 75 runs off just 46 balls, with six fours and four sixes. He anchored the West Indies innings and scored all seven of the team’s powerplay boundaries.
Q3. What historic record did Shamar Joseph set in this match?
Shamar Joseph became the first-ever cricketer in T20 international cricket history to take four wickets AND hold four catches in the same innings. He finished with figures of 4 for 30 while also taking 4 catches. It is one of the most unique all-round fielding/bowling performances in T20 World Cup history.
Q4. Was the West Indies vs Italy match Italy’s first T20 World Cup game against West Indies?
Yes. The February 19, 2026 match at Eden Gardens, Kolkata was the very first time Italy and West Indies faced each other in a T20 World Cup. The West Indies vs Italy T20 head to head record stands at 1-0 in favour of West Indies as of this match.
Q5. How did Italy qualify for the T20 World Cup 2026?
Italy qualified through the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier 2025, finishing second behind the top team after beating Scotland and Guernsey. They also beat Ireland — a Full ICC Member — in a warm-up T20I series, which was Italy’s first-ever T20I win against a Full Member nation.
