Image source: AP
Nepal vs Italy: Italy created history in Mumbai on Thursday, beating Nepal by 10 wickets to record their first victory in T20 World Cup history. The Azzurri, playing their debut tournament, chased down the target in style thanks to the unbeaten Mosca brothers.
Anthony Mosca scored 62 not out, while Justin Mosca remained unbeaten on 60 as Italy cruised to 124 without losing a wicket. The chase was completed in just 12.4 overs, leaving Nepal with no answers on the field.
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Italy’s win began with a strong performance with the ball. After winning the toss, the Azzurri chose to field first, and the decision paid off immediately. Nepal were bowled out for 123 in 19.3 overs, struggling to build partnerships.
Crishan Kalugamage led the bowling attack with figures of 3 for 18. Ben Manenti supported him well, picking up 2 for 9 in a tidy spell that kept the pressure on Nepal’s middle order.
Nepal never found real momentum in their innings. Aarif Sheikh top-scored with 27, while skipper Rohit Paudel showed some intent early on with a quick cameo. However, regular wickets slowed the scoring, and the team kept losing players at key moments.
Kalugamage removed Rohit Paudel, while Manenti dismissed Aasif Sheikh soon after. The middle order could not recover, as Lokesh Bam and Dipendra Singh Airee also fell cheaply. Nepal slipped from a steady position to 97 for 5 in the 15th over.
Late boundaries from Karan KC helped push the total past 120, but the score still looked below par on a good batting surface. Italy’s bowlers kept things tight and forced mistakes in the closing overs.
In reply, Italy’s opening pair made their intentions clear from the start. The Mosca brothers attacked the bowlers and raced to 50 runs inside the first four overs. Nepal’s fielders and bowlers struggled to slow the scoring.
Sandeep Lamichhane was brought into the attack during the powerplay, but even he could not stop the flow of runs. Anthony Mosca struck a four and a six in his over, pushing Italy further ahead in the chase.
Both brothers reached their half-centuries in the 11th over, effectively sealing the match. Nepal failed to pick up a single wicket, and the chase turned into a one-sided contest.
Italy eventually crossed the finish line in just 12.4 overs, completing a memorable night in their T20 World Cup debut. The win marked a major milestone for Italian cricket and gave the team a strong start in the group stage.
There was some concern for Italy before the match, as captain Wayne Madsen was likely to miss the game due to a shoulder injury. The 42-year-old left the field earlier in the tournament after landing awkwardly while attempting a stop. Team sources said he was improving, but doctors wanted a few days before giving a final update.
Despite the absence of their captain, Italy delivered one of the biggest surprises of the tournament. The Mosca brothers’ unbeaten partnership will be remembered as a historic moment for the team.
FAQ:
Who won the Nepal vs Italy T20 World Cup 2026 match?
Italy defeated Nepal by 10 wickets in their group-stage match in Mumbai.
Why was this win important for Italy?
It was Italy’s first-ever victory in T20 World Cup history, and the team is playing its debut tournament.
Who were the top performers for Italy in the match?
Brothers Anthony Mosca and Justin Mosca led the chase. Anthony scored an unbeaten 62, while Justin made 60 not out.
How many runs did Italy chase?
Italy chased down the target of 124 runs without losing a wicket.
How quickly did Italy complete the chase?
Italy reached the target in just 12.4 overs, showing a very dominant batting performance.
What score did Nepal post in their innings?
Nepal were bowled out for 123 runs in 19.3 overs.
Who were the leading bowlers for Italy?
Crishan Kalugamage took 3 wickets for 18 runs, and Ben Manenti picked up 2 wickets for just 9 runs.
Did Nepal take any wickets during Italy’s chase?
No, Nepal failed to take a single wicket as the Mosca brothers completed the chase unbeaten.
Was Italy’s captain Wayne Madsen part of the match?
Wayne Madsen was likely unavailable due to a shoulder injury and was being monitored by team doctors.
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