Italy Captain Harry Manenti Praises Team After England Loss

KOLKATA (Azat TV) – Italy’s cricket captain, Harry Manenti, expressed immense pride in his team’s determined effort following their 24-run defeat to England in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Group C clash on Monday. Despite the loss at Eden Gardens, which saw England advance to the Super Eights, Manenti emphasized that the associate nation demonstrated its capacity to challenge the sport’s top-ranked teams.

The match, held on February 16, 2026, was a testament to Italy’s growing stature in international cricket, as they pushed the two-time champions England to a nervy finish. Manenti’s post-match comments highlighted the significance of their performance against a formidable opponent, stating that competing strongly against higher-ranked teams like England, currently ranked among the world’s best while Italy stands at 27th, served as a major confidence booster for the squad.

Italy’s Resilient Performance Against England

England batted first, setting a challenging target, but Italy’s reply was marked by a stunning counterattack, particularly from Ben Manenti and Grant Stewart. Ben Manenti, Harry Manenti’s teammate, delivered a breathtaking innings of 60 runs off just 25 balls, including a series of powerful sixes that briefly put England under pressure. His ability to swivel on balls and send them into orbit was described as extraordinary. Grant Stewart also played a crucial role with a fearless late flourish, scoring 45 runs.

Italy’s captain reserved heartfelt praise for Ben Manenti’s all-round contribution and Stewart’s aggressive hitting, acknowledging their importance in building partnerships that gave Italy a genuine chance. Throughout their chase, Italy managed to keep pace with England’s scoring rate at various stages, even being ahead at one point, showcasing their intent and skill against a top-tier bowling attack.

Key Moments and Player Contributions

The Italian innings saw several dramatic moments. Harry Manenti himself contributed with 12 runs before being caught by England’s wicketkeeper Jos Buttler off an Overton delivery. Despite early wickets, Italy found momentum through partnerships. Justin Mosca scored 43 runs off 34 balls, providing stability before Ben Manenti’s explosive entry. The team’s aggressive approach, a deliberate shift from earlier tentative performances, was evident as they sought to back themselves and challenge England’s dominance.

England’s victory was secured by an unbeaten fifty from Will Jacks and crucial three-wicket hauls from Sam Curran and Jamie Overton. Curran’s ‘sensational’ bowling in the death overs, including hitting the blockhole at will and taking two vital wickets, proved instrumental in stifling Italy’s chase. Jos Buttler’s stunning catch to dismiss Harry Manenti and other sharp fielding efforts also played a significant role in England’s defense of their total.

Looking Ahead for Italian Cricket

Despite the defeat, Harry Manenti expressed a strong belief in his team’s future. He noted that Italy’s performances throughout the tournament, particularly against strong nations, were ‘good for the game’ and highlighted the need for more matches against better opposition to continue their development. The team views their ongoing participation as an opportunity to gain invaluable experience, with another challenging fixture against the West Indies on the horizon.

The spirited display by Italy, an associate side, against a cricketing powerhouse like England, underscores the increasing global competitiveness in T20 cricket, signaling a positive trajectory for emerging cricketing nations like Italy on the world stage.