Italy script history, win maiden match at T20 World Cup in Nepal rout as associate nations get off the mark
&imwidth=600&imheight=450&format=webp&quality=medium "Italy script history, win maiden match at T20 World Cup in Nepal rout as associate nations get off the mark")
Italy script history, win maiden match at T20 World Cup in Nepal rout as associate nations get off the mark Photograph: (AFP)
After a spirited performance against England, Nepal were given a reality check by Italy, who are playing in their maiden T20 World Cup.
Italy scripted history on Thursday (Feb 12) as they registered their maiden win at the T20 World Cup, as they got the better of Nepal by 10 wickets at the Wankhede Stadium. After a spirited performance against England, Nepal were given a reality check by Italy, who are playing in their maiden T20 World Cup. The win for Italy also means they become the first associate nation to win a match at the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Italy script history
Needing 124 runs to win at the Wankhede Stadium, Italy wiped the floor with Nepal as they won the match with 44 balls to spare. The Italian opening pair of Justin Mosca (unbeaten 60) and Anthony Mosca (unbeaten 62) saw the European qualifiers through in the one-sided contest. The pair stitched a stand of 124 runs and were at their fluent best to get the associate nations off the mark in the tournament.
For Nepal, it was a reality check despite their spirited performance against England on Sunday. During the England contest, Nepal needed 10 runs to win in the final over but failed to win. However, Thursday’s defeat now sees them on the brink of exit as it also damages their net run rate (NRR).
What happened in Nepal’s innings?
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Having won the toss, Italian captain Harry Manenti opted to bowl first, a decision that proved right. Kushal Bhurtel (5) was dismissed in the second over before a healthy stand between Aasif Sheikh (20) and captain Rohit Paudel (23) got the Asian side back on track. However, Nepal batters were unable to resist the bowling of Italy and quickly went from 49/1 to 49/3.
Dipendra Singh Airee (17) and Aarif Sheikh (27) then steadied the ship for Nepal as they were 93/3 at one stage. However, Italy once again struck back and wrapped Nepal with seven wickets in a span of 30 runs. Nepa were bowled out for 123 in the end as the Italians already had the upper hand heading into the break.
