Italy has etched its name into cricket history by securing a remarkable victory in only their second World Cup match. Making their debut on cricket’s grandest stage, the Italian side produced a commanding performance at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, defeating Nepal by ten wickets. Chasing a modest target of 124 runs, Italy reached it in just 12.4 overs, highlighting their intent and composure under pressure.
The stars of the match were undoubtedly the Mosca brothers, Justin and Anthony, who opened the batting for Italy. Both delivered impeccable performances, remaining unbeaten as they guided their team to victory. Justin Mosca scored 60* off 44 balls, striking three sixes, while Anthony Mosca’s aggressive 62* off 32 deliveries included six towering sixes. Their partnership laid the foundation for Italy’s swift chase and demonstrated the impact of experienced and fearless batting at the top of the order.
Earlier in the day, Nepal had won the toss and elected to field, a decision that backfired spectacularly. Italy’s bowlers responded with clinical precision, reducing Nepal to 123 all out. At 13.4 overs, Nepal were 93 for 3, but the introduction of Italy’s leg-spinner Krishan Kalugamage sparked a collapse. Kalugamage bowled Dipendra Singh Airee, initiating a dramatic fall of wickets. He finished with outstanding figures of 3 for 18 in four overs, while off-spinner Ben Manenti contributed 2 for 9 in his four-over spell.
Nepal’s innings lacked momentum after the initial phase, with Arif Sheikh top-scoring with 27 runs and captain Rohit Paudel contributing 23. The remainder of the batting lineup struggled against disciplined bowling, highlighting Italy’s all-round superiority.
Italy’s run chase was equally dominant. The team reached 50 runs within just four overs and had amassed 68 by the end of the powerplay. By 10.5 overs, the Mosca brothers had already taken Italy past the 100-run mark, effectively sealing the match.
Match Summary:
| Team | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Top Performers | Key Bowling Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nepal | 19.3 | 123 | 10 | Arif Sheikh 27, Rohit Paudel 23, Asif 20 | Krishan Kalugamage 3/18, Ben Manenti 2/9 |
| Italy | 12.4 | 124 | 0 | Anthony Mosca 62*, Justin Mosca 60* | – |
Italy’s emphatic ten-wicket win marks a historic milestone for the nation, signalling their arrival on the global cricket stage. The Mosca brothers’ outstanding opening partnership and the bowlers’ disciplined display underlined a well-rounded team performance. With confidence soaring, Italy now looks forward to building on this historic victory and making further waves in the ongoing World Cup.