Historic Day for Italy! – Italy vs Nepal, T20 World Cup 2026
Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026
Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Match: 17th Match, Group C – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
In a match that will be remembered for years in Italian cricketing history, Italy stunned Nepal to secure their first ever T20 World Cup win — and what a way to do it! The European side chased down their target without losing a single wicket, sealing a 10-wicket triumph that highlighted grit, teamwork, and fearless stroke play.
Italy’s Unforgettable Chase
Italy were tasked with chasing a modest total of 124, set by Nepal after a competitive batting effort. Enter the Mosca brothers — Justin and Anthony — and the story took a dramatic turn.
Standout Performances
Anthony Mosca — 62 off 32 balls*
A whirlwind innings packed with power and precision, Anthony showcased why he’s one to watch in this tournament.
Justin Mosca — 60 off 44 balls*
Matching his brother stroke for stroke, Justin provided the ideal partner in this historic chase.
Together, the brothers put up an unbeaten 124-run stand, guiding Italy to victory in just 12.4 overs, with 44 balls to spare. It was bat-first domination that Nepal simply couldn’t contain.
Nepal’s Batting Fight
Nepal, coming off a performance that nearly toppled cricket giants earlier in the tournament, looked to build on that momentum. While Rohit Paudel (23) and Aasif Sheikh (20) provided brief resistance, they couldn’t find the partnerships needed to push Italy into trouble.
Their innings ended at 123 all out in 19.3 overs, setting the stage for Italy’s historic chase.
Bowlers Who Made the Difference
Italy’s bowling unit deserve massive credit for setting up the opportunity:
Crishan Kalugamage — 3 wickets for 18 runs
Ben Manenti — 2 wickets
Ali Hasan, JJ Smuts, Jaspreet Singh — one wicket each
Their disciplined spin bowling kept the Nepalese batters in check and prevented any big partnerships from forming.
What This Win Means
This victory is more than just one win on the board for Italy — it’s a statement. In only their second match ever at a T20 World Cup, they showed remarkable temperament and skill, catapulting themselves into the spotlight and giving the cricketing world a glimpse of an exciting future.
For Nepal, the loss will be a hard lesson. After an inspiring performance against England earlier in the tournament, this result reminded fans of the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket and the importance of consistency across matches.
Final Thoughts
What a game! At a venue like Wankhede Stadium, Italy’s first T20 World Cup victory felt even more electrifying — a perfect blend of fearless batting, disciplined bowling, and pure teamwork. Whether you’re an Italian cricket fan celebrating this memorable breakthrough or a neutral lover of underdog stories, this match had something spectacular for everyone.
Stay tuned as the T20 World Cup 2026 continues to deliver drama, surprises, and unforgettable cricket!
