Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Italy registered a historic first-ever win in the men’s T20 World Cup, trouncing Nepal by 10 wickets in just the second match of their maiden appearance in the competition here on Thursday.After their spinners ran through the Nepal batting line-up to dismiss them for a modest 123, brothers Anthony Mosca (62 not out) and Justin Mosca (60 not out) produced a ruthless unbeaten opening stand to crush the Rhinos, who failed to live up to pre-match expectations. Chasing 124, Italy completed the formalities with 7.2 overs to spare.
The younger Justin struck three sixes and five fours in his 60 not out off 44 balls, while Anthony made full use of a deflated Nepal attack, smashing six sixes and three fours in a blazing 62 not out off just 32 deliveries.It was only Italy’s second match in T20 World Cup history, having suffered a 73-run defeat to Scotland in the tournament opener in Kolkata.Nepal, who were tipped as favourites following their spirited performance against England at the same venue, cut a disappointing figure. None of their batters found answers to Italy’s accurate spin bowling and sharp fielding, while the decision to hold back their premier spinner Sandeep Lamichhane for most of the Powerplay proved costly.By the time Lamichhane, who has featured in several T20 leagues including the Indian Premier League, was introduced, the Italian openers had already raced to 58.Anthony set the tone with a six over long-on in the opening over, before Justin took on Karan KC in the third, smashing two fours and a six. The Mosca brothers then struck a six apiece off Lalit Rajbanshi in the fourth over as Italy surged past fifty inside no time.Cruising at nearly 10 runs an over, Italy faced little resistance as Nepal failed to create even a single opportunity, much to the disappointment of the large crowd at the Wankhede Stadium.Earlier, Ben Manenti (2/9) and Crishan Kalugamage (3/18) led a superb spin assault as Italy bundled Nepal out cheaply. The spinners maintained relentless control, combining disciplined lines and lengths with excellent fielding to keep Nepal under constant pressure.Manenti delivered a miserly spell of 4-0-9-2, while Kalugamage claimed three wickets. Former South Africa international JJ Smuts chipped in with 1/22 from his four overs as Nepal crumbled.Manenti’s control made life easier for his younger brother Harry, who stood in as captain after Italy lost regular skipper Wayne Madsen to a dislocated shoulder. However, Madsen’s absence was barely felt as Italy functioned like a well-oiled unit, with their fielders seizing every opportunity.Kalugamage’s wrong’un accounted for Dipendra Singh Airee (17), while opener Aasif Sheikh was brilliantly stumped by wicketkeeper Gian-Piero Meade off Manenti in the eighth over. Italy’s discipline was reflected in a flawless fielding effort, with no catches dropped and no easy runs conceded, silencing the partisan crowd.The Nepal innings ended with a run-out via a direct hit from stand-in skipper Harry Manenti. None of Nepal’s specialist batters were able to mount a sustained response on what remained a true batting surface.Only skipper Rohit Paudel showed brief resistance, striking two sixes before being caught on the boundary off Kalugamage’s googly. Aarif Sheikh top-scored with 27, hitting three fours, while Karan KC remained unbeaten on 18 off 11 balls, with one six and a four, as Nepal’s innings came to an end.
