Italy drop captain Joe Burns for the Men's T20 World Cup 2026

Italy will compete in their maiden Men's T20 World Cup without captain Joe Burns following a contract dispute. The Italian Cricket Federation confirmed that Burns, who was pivotal during qualification, could not reach a formal agreement. Consequently, Derbyshire veteran Wayne Madsen has been appointed to lead the side in India and Sri Lanka.

Burns played a vital role in securing Italy’s historic spot, notably scoring a century against Romania and captaining crucial victories over Guernsey and Scotland. However, the Federation cited the strict need for "stability, harmony, and continuity" as primary reasons for the leadership change, prioritizing team serenity over short-term goals.

Madsen, eligible via his grandmother, missed the previous qualifiers due to county commitments but brings significant experience. He will captain Italy in warm-ups against Ireland before their World Cup campaign begins against Bangladesh in Kolkata on February 9, followed by group clashes with England, West Indies, and Nepal.