Italy crush Nepal for historic first win at T20 World Cup

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Feb. 13: Nepal’s batting, which won admirers in their spirited display against England on 8 February, failed to replicate that form against debutants Italy in their second Group C fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on Thursday.

With both sides desperate to stay in contention for the Super Eight, Nepal were chasing their first World Cup victory in 12 years, while Italy were eyeing a maiden triumph on the global stage. In the end, it was the footballing nation who scripted history, romping home by 10 wickets to register their first win at the tournament.

Put in to bat, Nepal were skittled for 123 in 19.3 overs as Italy’s spinners tied them in knots. 

Leg‑spinner Krishan Kalugamage was the pick of the attack with three for 18, while Benjamin Manenti’s miserly two for nine and JJ Smuts’ solitary strike ensured the Rhinos never found momentum. Seamers Ali Hasan and Jaspreet Singh chipped in with one apiece.

In reply, openers Justin and Anthony Mosca made light work of the chase, dismantling Nepal’s attack with a flurry of boundaries. Justin’s 44‑ball 60 featured three sixes and five fours, while Anthony bludgeoned six maximums and three fours in a rapid 32‑ball 62. The siblings put the result beyond doubt, sealing victory with 7.2 overs to spare.

Nepal’s bowlers had no answers to the Moscas’ onslaught. Sandeep Lamichhane endured a torrid spell, conceding 31 runs in three overs, while Dipendra Singh Airee leaked 24 from 3.4 overs. Karan KC gave away 21 in two overs, Lalit Rajbanshi 19 in one, Nandan Yadav 12 in his solitary over, and Kushal Bhurtel 15 from two.

Italian skipper Harry Manenti hailed the landmark win: “It’s pretty extraordinary really. It’s something a lot of people in Italy, a lot of people in this group, have dreamed of. We didn’t quite nail it the other day but we backed up today and showed the world what we’ve got.”

For Nepal, the defeat leaves them rooted to the bottom of Group C with two losses from two, their hopes of progressing now hanging by a thread. They next face two‑time champions West Indies on 15 February, followed by Scotland on 17 February.

Italy’s victory lifts them to third in the table with two points. The West Indies lead with four points after wins over Scotland and England, while Scotland sit second courtesy of a superior net run rate. England, also two‑time champions, trail in fourth with one win and one defeat.

Earlier, Nepal’s batting line‑up, which had bamboozled England’s world‑class attack, faltered against Italy’s spin. Aarif Sheikh top‑scored with 27, captain Rohit Paudel struck a brisk 23 with two sixes, and opener Aasif Sheikh added 20. Dipendra Singh Airee chipped in with 17, while Karan KC remained unbeaten on 18.

Nepal’s innings unravelled after a 49‑run stand between Paudel and Aasif was broken by Kalugamage in the seventh over. Aasif was stumped two balls later, and although Airee and Aarif added 44 for the fourth wicket, the collapse resumed. From 93 for three in the 13th over, Nepal lost six wickets for just 30 runs, leaving the tail exposed and the total well short of par. 

On wednesday's night match of Group C,  Left-arm spinner Gudakehs Motie tore the heart out of England's mucht-vaunted middler order to give the West Indies a 30-run win in Mumbai.

The West Indies scored 196-6 largely thanks to Sherfane Rutherford's brutal unbeaten 76 and some late hitting from Jason Holder. In reply Engalnd were all out for 166 in 19 overs.