England set the tone in their Group C clash of the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 against Italy by posting a commanding target of 203 after opting to bat first, putting immediate pressure on the chase. Italy’s response never quite took off, and the defining moment came early in the innings with a piece of brilliance from Jos Buttler behind the stumps.

On the last delivery of the fourth over, Jamie Overton banged one in short and on the stumps as Harry Manenti shuffled across to attempt the scoop. The ball took a thin inside edge and seemed to be drifting past the keeper, but Buttler anticipated it perfectly. Moving swiftly to his left, he plucked a sensational one-handed catch with his right hand, sending Manenti back for 12 off 11 deliveries.

The dismissal summed up England’s sharpness and proved pivotal, as Italy soon found themselves reeling at 22 for 3, their chase effectively broken before it could gather momentum.

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