Jason Holder, a pillar of West Indies cricket for over a decade, reached a landmark on Thursday, February 19, 2026, as he played his 300th international match in the final group-stage fixture against Italy at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens. While Holder’s personal performance was modest—a 9-run cameo with the bat and wicketless figures of 3-0-19-0—his milestone was celebrated in style as West Indies secured their fourth consecutive win, remaining unbeaten in the tournament and advancing to the Super Eight.
A Special Milestone for Holder
The day belonged to Holder, who was honored before the match with a commemorative cap and a special jersey emblazoned with “300,” presented by teammate Shimron Hetmyer. The West Indies showed faith in their winning combination, resisting the urge to bring in reserve batter Quentin Sampson and keeping their lineup unchanged. Holder, having already notched a five-wicket haul earlier in the tournament, added another chapter to his storied career, even if the wickets eluded him this time.
West Indies Dominate, Italy Bow Out
Italy’s stand-in skipper Harry Manenti won the toss and opted to bowl, hoping for a fairy-tale finish after their maiden World Cup win over Nepal last week in Mumbai. But the West Indies batting lineup, featuring half-century makers Shai Hope, Sherfane Rutherford, and Shimron Hetmyer across the group stage, proved too strong. Although Holder departed for just 9 after hitting a six, the team posted a competitive total with contributions throughout the order.
On the bowling front, Shamar Joseph starred with a spectacular all-round display—snagging four wickets and four catches, a rare feat in T20 cricket. Matthew Forde chipped in with three wickets, ensuring Italy were never truly in the chase. Holder, the only bowler of the five-man attack to finish wicketless, was all smiles as West Indies wrapped up another commanding team performance.
With this win, West Indies top their group and look ahead to their Super Eight clash against hosts India on March 1 at Eden Gardens. For Italy, their World Cup journey ends with cherished memories, including their historic win over Nepal, but the night belonged to Jason Holder and the Caribbean side’s relentless march forward.
