Nepal received a crushing blow in the T20 World Cup campaign as they lost to first-time entrants Italy by 10 wickets at the Wankhede Stadium. This is the first 10-wicket loss of Nepal in the history of the tournament.
The clinical spin attack that Italy decided to lead with destroyed the Nepali batting line. Despite Aarif Sheikh (27) and prompt efforts by Captain Rohit Paudel (23) and Aasif Sheikh (20), Nepal was slain in a paltry 123 in 19.3 overs. The chief wreckers were Italian spinners Crishan Kalugamage (3/18) and Benjamin Manenti (2/9), and the Nepali Rhinos were now in disarray on a turn-favouring surface.
The Mosca Brothers of Italy answered this by transforming the chase into a stroll in the park. Anthony and Justin Mosca had an unbeaten century run, with the target being attained after only 12.4 overs. The two bowled Nepali bowlers a clean sheet, and both brothers hit half-centuries to win the maiden World Cup in Italy.
This second successive loss against Nepal makes it winless in Group C after a close 4-run loss to England. Their possibility to join the Super Eight is now slim, and Italy is enjoying a historical landmark in the international arena.
