Italy has achieved a historic first in international cricket, securing their maiden victory at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with a decisive ten-wicket win over Nepal on . The match, played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, saw the Italian team effortlessly chase down Nepal’s total of 123 all out.
The victory marks a significant milestone for the Italian national team and underscores the growing competitiveness of Associate nations in the global T20 format. The Mosca brothers, Anthony and Justin, were instrumental in the win, sharing an unbroken partnership of 124 runs – the highest partnership between siblings in all T20 International cricket. Anthony Mosca scored 62 runs off 32 balls, while Justin Mosca remained unbeaten on 60 from 44 deliveries.
This win is particularly notable as it is only the eighth instance of a team winning by ten wickets at the Men’s T20 World Cup, and the first for an Associate nation since Oman’s victory over Papua New Guinea in 2021. It also represents Italy’s first ten-wicket win in Men’s T20 Internationals, significantly boosting their net run-rate in Group C and lifting them above England.
The Italian bowling attack laid the foundation for their success, with leg-spinner Crishan Kalugamage claiming three wickets for 18 runs, effectively stifling the Nepal batting lineup. Nepal struggled to build momentum, with only three batters able to surpass a score of 20.
Elsewhere in the tournament on , India continued their strong performance with a commanding 93-run victory over Namibia in Delhi. This win represents India’s largest margin of victory in terms of runs at the Men’s T20 World Cup, surpassing their previous best of 90 runs against England in 2012. Ishan Kishan contributed a rapid 61 runs off 24 balls, while Hardik Pandya delivered a powerful all-round performance, scoring 52 runs off 28 balls and taking two wickets for 21 runs.
Sri Lanka, co-hosts of the tournament, also secured a comfortable win, defeating Oman by 105 runs in Pallekele. Sri Lanka posted a total of 225 for 5, their second-highest total in Men’s T20 Internationals. Dasun Shanaka’s quickfire fifty, achieved in just 19 balls, was a key contribution to the Sri Lankan innings. Pavan Rathnayake and Kusal Mendis also recorded fifties, marking the first time three Sri Lankan batters have achieved this feat in a Men’s T20 International.
The day also saw several individual records fall. Mohammad Nadeem, at the age of 43 years and 161 days, became the oldest batter to score a fifty in any ICC tournament match, achieving the milestone against Ireland. India’s rapid start against Namibia, reaching 100 runs in just 6.5 overs, was the quickest team hundred at the Men’s T20 World Cup, surpassing the previous record held by the Netherlands.
The results from matches demonstrate the increasing competitiveness of the T20 World Cup, with both established cricketing nations and emerging Associate teams vying for supremacy. Italy’s victory is a testament to the growing investment and development of cricket in Europe, and their performance is likely to inspire further growth of the sport in the region. The tournament continues to showcase the global appeal of T20 cricket and the potential for upsets and unexpected results.
The Italian team’s success is particularly noteworthy given their relatively recent entry into the international cricket arena. Their performance against Nepal signals a potential shift in the dynamics of the tournament, and their upcoming match against England on will be a crucial test of their capabilities. Nepal, meanwhile, will seek to rebound from their defeat against the West Indies on .
India’s dominant performance against Namibia further solidifies their position as one of the tournament favorites. Their strong batting lineup and effective bowling attack pose a significant challenge to any opponent. Sri Lanka’s victory over Oman reinforces their status as a strong contender, particularly on home soil. The tournament is shaping up to be a closely contested affair, with several teams capable of challenging for the title.
