Italy stun Nepal with historic 10-wicket T20 World Cup win
Italy stun Nepal with historic 10-wicket T20 World Cup win
Italy clinches its first T20 World Cup victory, chasing 124 in 7.2 overs as the Mosca brothers power an unbeaten 124-run opening stand.
In Mumbai, Italy wrote history in their second T20 World Cup appearance, overpowering Nepal by 10 wickets at the Wankhede Stadium. Nepal were bowled out for 123 as Italy's spinners Kalugamage and Manenti kept the batters under pressure, leaving the chase in a breeze.
Anthony Mosca finished 62 not out off 32 balls while Justin Mosca followed with 60 not out off 44, as the pair shared an opening stand of 124 — the highest ever by siblings in T20 World Cup history. Their demolition of the target came with 7.2 overs to spare, signaling a stunning start to Italy's campaign in this tournament's early phase.
Nepal's batsmen struggled to read Italy's accurate spin and disciplined fielding, with the decision to hold back their premier spinner Sandeep Lamichhane for most of the Powerplay proving costly. By the time Lamichhane was introduced, the Moscas had already crossed fifty and turned the game decisively in Italy's favor.
This victory comes in Italy's second match of the World Cup; they had opened with a 73-run defeat to Scotland, showing the uphill climb ahead but also the potential for more surprising results. Stand-in captain Harry Manenti called it a dream moment as the squad celebrated a historic win with the crowd, underscoring cricket's growing footprint beyond traditional powerhouses.
The win adds a memorable chapter to Italian cricket, underscoring the sport's expanding reach and the potential for future upsets as the tournament progresses.
