Darwish Rasooli smashed a breathtaking 84 off just 46 balls to power Afghanistan to a crushing 61-run win over Scotland, while Italy announced their arrival with a thrilling 10-run victory over Canada in the first batch of official warm-up matches for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
The action unfolded across three venues in India on Monday, giving fans an early glimpse of what promises to be the most open T20 World Cup ever.
Rasooli Steals the Show in Bengaluru
The 22-year-old Afghan sensation walked in at No.3 and changed the game in a blink.
Darwish Rasooli retired out on 84 after hammering eight sixes and five fours, treating the BCCI Centre of Excellence ground like his personal playground. His knock lifted Afghanistan to 184 for 6, a total that always looked 40 runs above par on a tricky surface.
Ibrahim Zadran supported with a solid 36, but this was the Rasooli show. Late fireworks from Mohammad Nabi (34 off 16) only added gloss to an already commanding total.
Scotland never recovered from the early assault. They kept losing wickets whenever a partnership threatened. Matthew Cross and Michael Jones both fell for 21, while Azmatullah Omarzai (3-14) and Nabi (2-9 in two overs) ripped through the middle order.
Scotland folded for 123 in 19.3 overs. The 61-run defeat was their heaviest against Afghanistan in T20Is.
Italy Hold Nerve to Beat Canada in Chennai Thriller
Italy, playing their first-ever match as a World Cup-qualified team, showed they belong at this level.
Justin and Anthony Mosca started brightly with 22 each, but it was South African-born JJ Smuts who anchored the innings with 49 from 37 balls. Harry Manenti finished unbeaten on 33 as Italy posted 156 for 4 at Chepauk.
Canada looked on course when Dilpreet Bajwa and Yuvraj Samra added 55 for the first wicket. But the moment Samra fell, the chase went off the rails.
Tight bowling from Benjamin Manenti, Ali Hasan, and Grant Stewart squeezed the middle overs. Canada needed 16 off the final over. Nicholas Kirton swung hard but managed only five runs as Italy won by 10 runs.
A historic first victory for Italian cricket on the global stage.
USA Push India A All the Way in Navi Mumbai
The biggest score of the day came at DY Patil Stadium, where India A piled up 238 for 3.
Narayan Jagadeesan scored a classy 104 and captain Ayush Badoni blasted an unbeaten 60 off 26 balls in a late onslaught that left the American bowlers shell-shocked.
USA refused to lie down.
Andries Gous attacked from the start with 44, and Sanjay Krishnamurthi went berserk with 41 off 18 balls, including four huge sixes. At one stage, 200 looked gettable.
But Ravi Bishnoi (3-37) and Naman Dhir (2-6 in the final over) kept their cool. USA finished on exactly 200, falling 38 runs short in a high-quality contest.
These warm-up results mean little in isolation, yet they send clear messages. Afghanistan’s depth looks frightening. Italy have steel when it matters. And the USA can trouble anyone on their day.
With the Super 12 stage just weeks away, the associates have already shown they will not be making up the numbers in 2026.
The real tournament starts soon. And after Monday’s fireworks, the cricketing world cannot wait.
What did you make of Rasooli’s innings? Are Italy genuine dark horses? Drop your thoughts below.
