Mumbai, Feb 12 (UNI) Italy beat Nepal by 10 wickets in a dominating performance in the 17th Match of Group C of the T20 WC at Wankhede Stadium here on Thursday, bringing cricket into the national spotlight in a country long celebrated for its footballing legends.
For a nation that grew up idolising the likes of Paolo Maldini and Roberto Baggio, it is now time to look up to the Mosca brothers, the Manenti brothers, Crishan Kalugamage, and the rest of the Italian side.
The victory is expected to be celebrated long into the night on the streets of Milan, Florence, Naples, Tuscany, Rome, and across the country.
Crishan Kalugamage was the architect of Italy’s triumph with the ball, claiming three crucial wickets – Rohit Paudel, Dipendra Singh Airee (17), and Gulsan Jha (3) – with sharp variations, clever flight, and precise lengths that consistently troubled the Nepalese batsmen. His spell triggered a collapse in Nepal’s middle order, leaving the team unable to build meaningful partnerships.
Kalugamage’s clever bowling created further opportunities for teammates, including two run-outs and key catches in the deep. Ben Manenti supported with two vital wickets, keeping Nepal to a modest 123 in 19.3 overs despite resistance from Aarif Sheikh (27) and Rohit Paudel (23).
Italy’s run chase was a masterclass in controlled aggression. Anthony Mosca led the way with a blistering 62 off 32 balls, punishing loose deliveries with crisp boundaries, while his brother Justin Mosca anchored the innings with an unbeaten 60 off 44 balls.
The duo shared an unbroken 124-run partnership, reaching the target in just 12.4 overs at a striking rate of 9.79 runs per over, leaving the Wankhede spectators impressed with their composure and timing.
Italy completed the chase without losing a wicket, showcasing a perfect balance of aggression and patience.
Italy captain Harry Manenti’s decision to bowl first proved decisive as the team executed a near-perfect plan, combining disciplined bowling, sharp fielding, and fearless batting.
For Italy, this victory is more than just a scoreline; cricket has become headline news in a nation traditionally dominated by football, with Kalugamage, the Mosca brothers, and the Manenti brothers earning widespread recognition and celebrations.
The win places Italy in third position in Group C, whie Nepal Nepal faces an uphill task after losing both the matches played so far in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
