Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: West Indies ended their Group C campaign in the T20 World Cup with a commanding 42-run win over Italy, powered by Shai Hope’s second consecutive half-century and a disciplined bowling display. Despite a shaky start with the bat, the Caribbean side found momentum and carried it into the Super Eights after topping the group with all wins.
Batting first after Italy opted to field, West Indies posted 165/6. Hope anchored the innings with a fluent 75 off 46 balls, striking six fours and four sixes. He counterattacked early after the Windies lost Brandon King (4) and Shimron Hetmyer (1) cheaply, punishing Ali Hasan with boundaries and a six in a 14-run over. Roston Chase’s slow 24 off 25 balls stalled the momentum, while Rovman Powell added just nine. Italy’s spinners Ben Manenti (2/37) and Crishan Kalugamage (2/25) controlled the middle and death overs to keep the total in check on a batting-friendly Eden surface.Chasing 166, Italy were bowled out for 123 in 18 overs. Matthew Forde (3/19) set the tone in the powerplay, removing Justin Mosca and Syed Naqvi with disciplined new-ball bowling. Shamar Joseph led the attack with 4/30, using the short ball effectively and dismissing Grant Stewart to end Italy’s resistance. Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie (2/24) controlled the middle overs and dismissed JJ Smuts and Ben just as they looked dangerous.Italy briefly threatened through a strong partnership but lost wickets in clusters, including Stewart and Manenti, which derailed the chase. They finished with one win from four matches, while West Indies entered the Super Eights with strong momentum and an unbeaten group-stage record.
