Mumbai : Italy created history on Thursday, as they defeated Nepal by 10 wickets to register their first win in a men’s World Cup match.
Coming into this match, both the teams had a point to prove. Tournament debutants Italy are eager to show that they are not here to make up the numbers, while Nepal suffered a heartbreaking loss to England in their opening match.
In this battle of associate nations, it was Italy who came out with the right intent at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
After electing to field, they put in a clinical performance with the ball and in the field to dismiss Nepal for 123. They never let up in the chase as well, cantering to the target in 12.4 overs. It was the kind of calm, dominant show befitting an experienced team rather than World Cup rookies.
The Nepal innings never really got going after losing Kushal Bhurtel. Captain Rohit Paudel tried to inject some urgency with a 23 off 14 balls and Aarif Sheikh top-scored with 27 lower down the order.
However, Italy’s spin-heavy attack and impressive fielding kept Nepal at bay. Not only did they clamp down the scoring, they also took timely wickets. Karan KC gave the innings a late fillip with a quickfire 18, but Nepal folded at 123 in 19.3 overs.
Leg-spinner Crishan Kalugamage finished with three wickets, including that of captain Pauel and the experienced Dipendra Singh Airee, while off-spinner Benjamin Manenti was exceptional, claiming 2/9 in his four overs.
The Italians made a meal of the modest total. Anthony Mosca and brother Justin Mosca were unstoppable, as they matches each other stroke for stroke, power for power. Justin struck five fours and three sixes for 60 not out, while Anthony, three years older, slammed six sixes and three fours for an unbeaten 62 off 32 balls. Eventually, Italy chased down the total in 12.4 overs without losing any wickets.
Brief Scorecard :
1st Innings –
NEP : 123 (19.3)
2nd Innings :
ITA : 124-0 (12.4)
Result : Italy won by 10 Wickets.
