Italy set for historic T20 World Cup debut with diverse squad
Italy qualified for the 2026 tournament through the Europe Regional Final, securing their place on net run rate after victories over teams including Turkey and Luxembourg.
The squad has been described as a diverse mix of players with varied cricketing backgrounds. Several members of the team were born outside Italy and have roots in established cricketing nations, reflecting the sport’s growth through migrant communities and heritage connections.
Among the squad is Crishan Jorge Kalugamage, who moved from Sri Lanka to Italy as a teenager and now balances cricket with professional commitments outside the sport.
The Italian Cricket Federation hopes participation in the global tournament will raise the profile of cricket domestically, with increased media coverage and international exposure expected to boost interest in the game.
Italy’s debut adds another emerging European presence to the T20 World Cup as the competition continues to expand its global footprint.
