Mosca brothers lead Italy to historic victory in Mumbai
Italy registered their first-ever T20 World Cup win with a 10-wicket victory over Nepal in Mumbai. Spinners Ben Manenti and Crishan Kalugamage bowled Nepal out for 123 before Anthony and Justin Mosca’s unbeaten stand sealed a historic triumph
Mumbai: Italy trounced Nepal by 10 wickets to record their historic first-ever win in the men’s T20 World Cup, producing a clinical show in only the second match of their maiden appearance in the competition here on Thursday.
After their spinners ruled the roost to bowl Nepal out for a paltry 123, brothers Anthony Mosca (62 not out) and Justin Mosca (60 not out) put on a ruthless unbeaten opening stand to crush the Rhinos, who failed to live up to expectations.
Chasing 124, Italy knocked off the runs with 7.2 overs to spare.
The younger of the two, Justin smashed three sixes and five fours to make 60 not out off 44 balls, while Anthony cashed in on deflated Nepal bowlers, clobbering six sixes and three fours to score 62 not out off only 32 balls.
It was only the second match in T20 World Cup history for Italy, who had lost the tournament opener to Scotland by 73 runs in Kolkata.
Nepal, who were favourites for this clash after their strong effort against England at the same venue, cut a sorry figure.
None of their batters could find a way to counter Italy’s accurate spin bowling and fielding, while they held back their best spinner Sandeep Lamichhane for most of the powerplay.
By the time Lamichhane, who has featured in various T20 tournaments including the Indian Premier League, was introduced into the attack, Italian openers had knocked 58 runs off the modest target.
Anthony smacked one over long-on in the first over to set the tone while Justin tore into Karan KC in the third, hammering two fours and a six, as Italy made a fiery start.
The Mosca brothers hammered a six each off Lalit Rajbanshi in the fourth over as Italy raised their half-century in no time.
The Italians cruised at almost 10 runs an over with Nepal failing to produce any opportunity, much to the disappointment of their fans who had filled the Wankhede Stadium stands in large numbers.
Earlier, Ben Manenti (2/9) and Crishan Kalugamage (3/18) stifled Nepal batters in a fine display of spin bowling, as Italy bowled out their opponents for a low score.
Spinners continued to dominate as Italy showed precision with their line and length, combined with sharp fielding, which kept Nepal under pressure.
Manenti strangled the Nepal batters from one end, returning 4-0-9-2 while Kalugamage finished with three wickets.
Former South African player JJ Smuts claimed 1/22 from his four overs for the debutants, as Nepal crumbled under pressure.
Manenti’s exploits with his off-spin also made his younger brother Harry’s job easier, who stepped in after Italy lost skipper Wayne Madsen to a dislocated shoulder.
But Madsen’s absence was not felt in a unit which worked like a well-oiled machine, with their fielders present every time there was a chance of a catch.
Kalugamage trusted the grip off the surface to beat Dipendra Singh Airee (17) with a wrong-un that crashed into his off-stump, while opener Aasif Sheikh’s innings was cut short with a stumping by wicketkeeper Gian-Piero Meade off Manenti in the eighth over.
It was as clinical a bowling performance as it gets from Italy, as they allowed no freebies and did not drop a single catch, keeping the crowd largely silent.
The Nepal innings ended with a run-out via a direct hit from stand-in skipper Harry.
None of the specialist Nepal batters could counter Italy’s charge on what remained a true batting wicket.
Nepal, who had come close to beating England in their last outing here, began with an early dismissal of Kushal Bhurtel and stayed under pressure throughout.
Only Rohit Paudel looked to counter-attack when he hit two sixes, but the Nepal skipper was caught at the ropes despite picking Kalugamage’s googly.
Aarif Sheikh (27) hit three fours to lead the scorers for Nepal while Karan KC was left stranded on 18 not out off 11 balls with one six and a four when the final wicket fell.