Mumbai, India – In a stunning upset at the T20 World Cup, Italy secured their first-ever victory in the tournament, defeating Nepal by 10 wickets on , at the Wankhede Stadium. The historic win, achieved in just 12.4 overs, marks a significant milestone for Italian cricket and sends ripples through the competition.
Nepal, fresh off a competitive showing against England at the same venue, entered the match as clear favorites. However, Italy’s disciplined bowling attack, spearheaded by Sri Lanka-born wrist spinner Crishan Kalugamage, quickly dismantled the Nepali batting lineup. Kalugamage claimed 3-18, crucially dismissing Nepal captain Rohit Paudel amongst his wickets, and restricted Nepal to a modest total of 123 all out with three balls remaining.
The chase proved to be a one-sided affair. Brothers Anthony and Justin Mosca delivered a masterclass in aggressive batting, forging an unbroken opening partnership of 124. Anthony Mosca finished with an impressive 62 not out off 32 balls, while Justin Mosca contributed 60 not out from 44 deliveries. Their combined onslaught included nine sixes and eight boundaries, overwhelming the Nepali bowlers and sealing the victory with remarkable ease.
Italy’s triumph is particularly noteworthy as it represents only the eighth instance of a 10-wicket victory in the history of the Men’s T20 World Cup. It also establishes Italy as only the second non-British European team, alongside the Netherlands, to win a match in the tournament. This victory underscores the growing competitiveness of associate nations in the global cricketing landscape.
The Mosca brothers’ performance was the cornerstone of Italy’s success. Their ability to consistently clear the boundary and maintain a high scoring rate put immense pressure on the Nepali fielders and ultimately broke their resistance. The brothers’ half-centuries weren’t just individual achievements. they were symbolic of Italy’s arrival on the world stage.
For Nepal, the defeat is a disappointing setback after their encouraging performance against England. While they demonstrated potential in their previous match, they were unable to replicate that form against Italy. The Nepali batting lineup struggled to build partnerships and were undone by Kalugamage’s spin and Italy’s tight fielding.
The win carries significant implications for Italy’s campaign in the T20 World Cup. It provides a massive boost to their confidence and strengthens their chances of progressing further in the tournament. While the road ahead remains challenging, this victory demonstrates their potential to compete with established cricketing nations.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Sri Lanka dominated Oman, winning by a substantial margin of 105 runs in Pallekele. Captain Dasun Shanaka set a new record for the fastest T20 half-century for Sri Lanka, further highlighting the team’s strong form. Later on , co-host and defending champion India faced Namibia in New Delhi.
Italy’s victory over Nepal is more than just a cricket match; it’s a testament to the dedication and hard work of the Italian team and a celebration of the growing popularity of the sport in Europe. The scenes at Wankhede Stadium, described as a moment of silence following the winning runs, spoke volumes about the unexpected nature of the result and the significance of the occasion. This win will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of cricketers in Italy and further elevate the profile of the sport within the country.
The performance of Crishan Kalugamage was also crucial. His ability to exploit the conditions and trouble the Nepali batsmen proved to be the turning point of the match. His three wickets, including that of the captain, applied significant pressure and ultimately paved the way for Italy’s dominant chase.
The T20 World Cup continues to deliver compelling narratives, and Italy’s story is undoubtedly one of the most captivating of the tournament so far. Their historic win against Nepal is a reminder that in cricket, as in life, anything is possible. The team’s performance will be closely watched as they navigate the remaining stages of the competition, hoping to build on this momentous achievement.
