Italy are all set to debut in this year’s T20 World Cup after they created history by qualifying for the competition. The European giants, famous for their football team, will for the first time in history contest at the highest level in men’s cricket.
The 10th edition of the T20 World Cup will kick off this Saturday, February 7, with 20 teams contesting for the ultimate prize in the T20 format.
Defending champions India will co-host the T20 World Cup 2026 alongside Sri Lanka. The Men in Blue begin their journey on the opening day of the competition as they take on the USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
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Ahead of their maiden campaign at the T20 World Cup, the Italian received a sweet surprise from one of the country’s iconic sportspersons.
Andrea Pirlo wishes good luck to Italian cricket team ahead of their T20 World Cup debut
Italian football legend and former World Cup-winning midfielder Andrea Pirlo has sent out a message for the nation’s cricket team ahead of their debut at the T20 World Cup.
In a short video message, the AC Milan and Juventus icon said: “Ciao a tutti voglio farvi un grande in bocca al luppo ciao (Hello everyone, I want to wish you all a big good luck).”
🇮🇹 Italian football legend Andrea Pirlo sends his regards to the Italian cricket team ahead of their first-ever T20 World Cup appearance 🏏👋
📸 Federazione Cricket Italiana #ItalyCricket #T20WC2026 #AssociateCricket #CricketEverywhere pic.twitter.com/BQyODvjd1R
— Associate Chronicles (@AssociateChrons) February 4, 2026
Former hockey World Cup player to captain Italy at T20 World Cup 2026
Former Hockey World Cup star Wayne Madsen is all set to captain the Italian cricket team in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. The South Africa-born sportsman started his cricket career way back in 2003, where he made his debut in domestic cricket for the KwaZulu-Natal cricket team.
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He also played county cricket in England and pursued T20 cricket in domestic leagues across the world, including the Pakistan Super League, The Hundred, and the Bangladesh Premier League. Madsen made his international debut for Italy in 2023 and has featured in 7 T20 international matches.
In between his cricket career at the domestic level, Madsen also represented the South African Hockey national team. He has made 39 appearances for the Ama Stokke Stokke and has played at the 2006 Commonwealth Games and 2006 Men’s Hockey World Cup.
Italy’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad
Wayne Madsen (c), Marcus Campopiano, Gian Piero Meade, Zain Ali, Ali Hasan, Crishan Jorge Kalugamage, Harry Manenti, Anthony Mosca, Justin Mosca, Syed Naqvi, Benjamin Manenti, Jaspreet Singh, JJ Smuts, Grant Stewart, Thomas Draca
