Nepal vs Italy highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: Italy seal maiden World Cup win with 10-wicket rout of Nepal
THE TIMES OF INDIA | Feb 12, 2026, 18:30:27 IST
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Nepal vs Italy highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: Italy seal maiden World Cup win with 10-wicket rout of Nepal

Nepal vs Italy highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: Spinners Crishan Kalugamage and Ben Manenti helped debutants Italy to a historic first win at the cricket T20 World Cup with a 10-wicket hammering of Nepal on Thursday.

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Kalugamage (3-18) and Manenti (2-9) combined to bowl out Nepal for 123, a total Italy's openers overhauled with 44 balls to spare in their second match at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium.

Brothers Justin Mosca, who made 60, and Anthony Mosca, who hit 62, tore into the opposition attack with fours and sixes to fire their team to a win.

A nation better known for its football, Italy are cricket minnows and the lowest-ranked side in the 20-team tournament.

They lost their opener to Scotland in Group C but bounced back.

Nepal were a far cry from the team that ran England close on Sunday at the same venue as they collapsed from 93-3 to be bundled out in 19.3 overs.

"It's pretty extraordinary really. It's something a lot of people in Italy, a lot of people in this group, have dreamed of," Italy's stand-in skipper Harry Manenti said.

"We didn't quite nail it the other day but we backed up today and showed the world what we've got."

Italy were without skipper Wayne Madsen, who dislocated his shoulder in the first loss, but came out roaring after they won the toss and elected to field first.

Leg-spinner Kalugamage sent back skipper Rohit Paudel for 23 and Manenti, who opened the bowling attack, took down Aasif Sheikh, for 20, with his off-spin.

"I always wanted to help the team to win a match and do my best for my nation, Italy -- I'm happy," player of the match Kalugamage said. "These are my brothers. I'm really happy."

Aarif Sheikh attempted to rebuild in 27 but Italy bowlers were unrelenting in their pursuit of wickets and the Nepal batting came crashing down.

"We need to be more consistent and today was the day to prove that, but not taking away the credit from Italy," said Paudel. "They played really well today and credit must go to them."

The Mosca brothers then struck eight fours and nine sixes between them to leave the Nepal bowlers in agony.

The win made Italy jump to third and England slip to fourth in the group led by the West Indies.
14:39 (IST) Feb 12

Italy (Playing XI) - Anthony Mosca, Justin Mosca, JJ Smuts, Harry Manenti (C), Benjamin Manenti, Marcus Campopiano (In for Wayne Madsen), Grant Stewart, Gian-Piero Meade (WK), Jaspreet Singh (In for Thomas Draca), Crishan Kalugamage, and Ali Hasan.

14:38 (IST) Feb 12

Nepal (Playing XI) - Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (WK), Rohit Paudel (C), Dipendra Singh Airee, Aarif Sheikh, Lokesh Bam, Gulshan Jha, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Sandeep Lamichhane, and Lalit Rajbanshi (In for Sher Malla).

14:37 (IST) Feb 12

The skipper of Nepal - Rohit Paudel says that they would have bowled first as well. Adds that they will look to make the most of the wicket, which is the same one that they played on last time, and believes it will turn in the second innings. Mentions that it is a privilege to play all games at the same venue, and they know the Asian conditions well. Feels that they need to be more clinical in all departments of the game and applauds the fans who support them so well.

14:37 (IST) Feb 12

The captain of Italy - Harry Manenti feels there is a bit of moisture in the wicket, and they want to make the most of it. Mentions they want to utilise the new ball up front. He admits there were some nerves in the opening game and that a few things went against them. Believes that losing their skipper, Wayne Madsen, was the turning point. Harry acknowledges that they are up against teams ranked well above them, but says the side strongly believes in its own abilities. He adds that it is pretty exciting to be here and competing against some impressive sides, with Nepal being one of them. Shares that it is a privilege to lead Italy. Informs that Marcus Campopiano comes into the side, who has played a lot of cricket for Italy. Also informs that Thomas Draca misses out, and Jaspreet Singh comes in for him.

14:35 (IST) Feb 12
NEP vs ITA T20 World Cup Live Score: TOSS!
Italy win toss, opt to field vs Nepal
14:17 (IST) Feb 12
NEP vs ITA T20 World Cup Live Score: SQUADS!

Nepal: Rohit Paudel (c), Aarif Sheikh, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Dipendra Singh Airee, Basir Ahamad, Kushal Bhurtel, Sundeep Jora, Lokesh Bam, Gulsan Jha, Karan KC, Sompal Kami, Sandeep Lamichhane, Sher Malla, Lalit Rajbanshi, Nandan Yadav.


Italy: Wayne Madsen (c), Marcus Campopiano, Gian-Piero Meade (wk), Anthony Mosca, Justin Mosca, Syed Naqvi, Harry Manenti, JJ Smuts, Grant Stewart, Ali Hasan, Thomas Draca, Jaspreet Singh, Crishan Kalugamage, Ben Manenti, Zain Ali.

14:05 (IST) Feb 12
Nepal vs Italy Live Score: Italy seek reset after difficult start
Italy, meanwhile, enter the contest hoping to recover from a heavy 73-run defeat to Scotland in their tournament opener.

The setback was compounded by captain Wayne Madsen’s shoulder injury, which is likely to see Harry Manenti step in as leader.

Italy’s bowling attack struggled despite using seven different options, and their batting faltered badly while chasing a massive total, with six players dismissed in single digits and three falling for ducks.

Ben Manenti’s half-century and Harry’s late hitting provided rare positives, but the side will need a collective improvement with bat and ball if they are to challenge a confident Nepal unit determined to finally break its winless streak.
14:04 (IST) Feb 12
NEP vs ITA Live Score: Areas to sharpen before Italy clash
While Nepal’s performances have earned admiration, the team remains aware of areas that require improvement.

Against England, they struggled to find enough boundaries during the middle overs of a demanding chase, allowing the required rate to creep up. Running between the wickets also emerged as a concern, with a few missed opportunities proving costly.

With the ball, Nepal maintained discipline for much of the innings but leaked crucial runs at the death, an issue they will be eager to address. Fine-tuning these aspects could be the difference between another brave defeat and a historic win.
14:04 (IST) Feb 12
NEP vs ITA T20 World Cup Live Score: Fearless cricket wins hearts at Wankhede
The thrilling clash against England showcased Nepal’s remarkable resilience and composure under pressure.

Despite a decade-long gap between T20 World Cup appearances, the ‘Rhinos’ matched a two-time world champion stride for stride and refused to be overwhelmed by the big stage.

A lively crowd of 17,008 fans turned Wankhede into a sea of noise, backing Nepal with an intensity usually reserved for the home team.

Players like Kushal Bhurtel set the tone with aggressive starts, while Dipendra Singh Airee, skipper Rohit Paudel and Aarif Sheikh added solidity and firepower to the middle order, proving Nepal’s batting unit is capable of challenging elite attacks.
14:03 (IST) Feb 12
Nepal vs Italy Live Score: Heartbreaks that shaped Nepal’s rise
Nepal’s journey in recent tournaments has been defined by narrow defeats that could easily have gone the other way.

In 2024, they came within one run of stunning South Africa and later fell short by just 21 runs against Bangladesh, highlighting how competitive they have become against Test-playing nations.

The most recent example came at the Wankhede Stadium, where Nepal nearly chased down a daunting total against England, losing by just four runs. That performance not only drew widespread praise but also created a buzz around Nepalese cricket, with fans and pundits acknowledging the team’s steady rise.
14:03 (IST) Feb 12
NEP vs ITA Live Score: Nepal chase long-awaited breakthrough
Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the ICC T20 World Cup match between Nepal and debutants Italy in Mumbai.

Fighting hard but still searching for that elusive win, Nepal will hope to finally end their barren run in the T20 World Cup when they meet tournament debutants Italy in a crucial Group C clash today.

The Himalayan nation, which first appeared in the event 12 years ago, enjoyed memorable victories over Hong Kong and Afghanistan in the 2014 edition but has since endured a frustrating wait for success on the global stage.

Despite the lack of wins, Nepal’s recent performances have shown clear growth, with the team consistently pushing stronger opponents and earning respect for their fearless brand of cricket.
Nepal vs Italy highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: Italy registered a historic first-ever win in the men’s T20 World Cup, trouncing Nepal by 10 wickets in just the second match of their maiden appearance in the competition here on Thursday.

After their spinners ran through the Nepal batting line-up to dismiss them for a modest 123, brothers Anthony Mosca (62 not out) and Justin Mosca (60 not out) produced a ruthless unbeaten opening stand to crush the Rhinos, who failed to live up to pre-match expectations. Chasing 124, Italy completed the formalities with 7.2 overs to spare.

The younger Justin struck three sixes and five fours in his 60 not out off 44 balls, while Anthony made full use of a deflated Nepal attack, smashing six sixes and three fours in a blazing 62 not out off just 32 deliveries.

It was only Italy’s second match in T20 World Cup history, having suffered a 73-run defeat to Scotland in the tournament opener in Kolkata.