In a result that has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, Italy scripted history on Thursday by securing their first-ever T20 World Cup win. The debutants pulled off a stunning 10-wicket victory over Nepal at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, chasing down a target of 124 in just 12.4 overs.
The "Azzurri" turned the form book on its head. While Nepal entered the contest as heavy favorites following a near-upset against England, they were completely outclassed by a disciplined Italian side that has now officially announced its arrival on the global stage.
The Mosca Brothers’ Masterclass
The story of the chase belonged entirely to the Mosca brothers, who produced a batting masterclass that left the Nepalese bowlers searching for answers. Anthony Mosca was the primary aggressor, smashing an unbeaten 62 off just 32 deliveries. His knock was a display of pure power, featuring three boundaries and six massive sixes.
Not to be outdone, Justin Mosca played the perfect foil, anchoring the other end with a clinical 60 off 44 balls. The brothers displayed telepathic running between the wickets and a shared intent to finish the game early. Their 124-run opening stand is now etched in the record books as the backbone of Italy’s most significant sporting achievement in cricket.
"To win like this, with my brother at the other end, is a dream come true," Anthony Mosca said during the post-match celebrations. "We knew we had the talent, but today we proved we belong at the T20 World Cup."
Nepal’s Batting Implosion
Earlier in the day, Nepal’s decision to bat first backfired spectacularly. Despite a spirited 27 from Aarif Sheikh and a quick-fire 23 from captain Rohit Paudel, the "Rhinos" struggled to adapt to the Italian bowling attack.
The star with the ball was Crishan Kalugamage, whose crafty spells dismantled the Nepal middle order. Kalugamage finished with impressive figures of 3/18, effectively stifling any momentum Nepal tried to build. He was well-supported by Ben Manenti, who was incredibly economical, conceding just 9 runs in his four overs while picking up two crucial wickets.
Key Match Stats:
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Nepal: 123 All Out (19.3 overs)
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Italy: 124/0 (12.4 overs)
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Top Performer: Crishan Kalugamage (3/18)
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High Score: Anthony Mosca (62 off 32)
Why This Result Matters for Global Cricket
This victory is more than just two points on the board; it represents the rapid growth of cricket in non-traditional nations. Italy, a country synonymous with football, has shown that the T20 format is the ultimate equalizer. For Nepal, this is a tough pill to swallow, marking their second consecutive loss in the T20 World Cup 2026 and putting their qualification hopes for the next round in serious jeopardy.
Italy now moves forward with renewed confidence, proving that in the shortest format of the game, no opponent is too big and no dream is too distant.
