England vs Italy Live Stream: Kick-off Time, Line-ups & How to Watch the Crucial Euro 2028 Qualifier

Kolkata, 16 February 2026—England made an aggressive start in their must-win ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Group C clash with Italy at Eden Gardens, racing to 50-1 in the fifth over after Jos Buttler fell cheaply for 3 to seamer Grant Stewart. Stand-in opener Phil Salt (25 off 12) lofted two sixes and two fours, while left-hander Jacob Bethell (20* off 14) counter-attacked with an 87-metre straight six that pushed England’s projected total towards 190. England captain Harry Brook won the toss and batted, knowing victory guarantees a Super Eights berth; defeat would almost certainly send the 2022 champions home on net run rate. Brook kept faith with the XI beaten by Scotland, pairing express duo Jofra Archer and Jamie Overton with leg-spinner Adil Rashid on a true Kolkata surface. Italy, unbeaten after shock wins over West Indies and Bangladesh, fielded the same side led by captain-all-rounder Harry Manenti. Their new-ball pair Stewart and left-armer Ali Hasan found early swing but were punished whenever they missed length, conceding 10 runs per over in the powerplay. Key storylines to watch tonight • Super Eights equation: England qualify with a win; Italy advance if they defend or chase successfully. • Buttler’s lean run: the ex-skipper now averages 9.5 in this tournament, fuelling calls for Tom Banton to take the gloves. • Italian rise: a first-ever Super Eights spot would cap a breakthrough year after cricket was confirmed for the 2028 Olympics. • Dew factor: conditions traditionally aid chasing sides under lights at Eden Gardens, making England’s final-over total critical. Pitch & conditions A brown, even strip offered consistent bounce but little turn during the afternoon, suggesting 180+ is par. Humidity of 68 percent points to heavy dew later, so Sam Curran’s cutters and Rashid’s googlies could be decisive. Head-to-head & form This is the nations’ first senior men’s T20I meeting. England have lost three of their last four World Cup matches, while Italy ride a five-game win streak across qualifiers and group play. Likely totals Live forecast models project England 185-195 if Salt extends his power-hitting and Brook, Curran or Will Jacks accelerate at the death. Italy’s chase will hinge on top-order stroke-makers Justin Mosca and JJ Smuts, who struck 71* against West Indies. Stay tuned for real-time England vs Italy live score updates, wicket-by-wicket commentary and post-match highlights as this high-stakes T20 World Cup 2026 thriller unfolds in Kolkata.