England played their best game of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 against Italy at the Eden Gardens on February 16. After posting 202/7, they restricted Italy to 178 runs in the allotted 20 overs, registering a 24-run win. Jofra Archer was magnificent with the ball, taking two wickets and conceding 35 runs from his four overs. Sam Curran chipped in with three scalps. Jamie Overton (3 wickets), Will Jacks (1 wicket), and Adil Rashid (1 wicket) also contributed to the success.
For Italy, Ben Manenti was in the attacking mode, smashing 60 runs in 25 balls, including 6 sixes and 4 fours. Grant Stewart managed 44 runs in 20 deliveries, hitting 5 maximums and 2 boundaries. Apart from these two, opener Justin Mosca played a handy knock of 43 off 34, laced with 7 boundaries. However, the remaining batters were ordinary.
Earlier, several English batters were among the runs, but only Will Jacks hit a half-century. His 53 not out in 22 balls helped in taking the score to 202/7. He struck 4 sixes and 3 fours. Tom Banton (30 off 21), Phil Salt (28 off 15), Curran (25 off 19), Jacob Bethell (23 off 20) and Overton (15 off 9) were impressive.
Crishan Kalugamage and Grant Stewart sent back two batters each in the contest. Ben Manenti, Ali Hasan and JJ Smuts picked up 1 wicket each. With 6 points from four matches, England are the second team from Group C to make it to the next round. West Indies have won three consecutive games and are already through to Super 8s.