MUMBAI, Feb 12 (V7N) — In a historic milestone for European cricket, Italy recorded its first-ever win in a global tournament by thrashing Nepal by 10 wickets at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. The victory headlines a day of T20 World Cup action that also saw co-hosts India and Sri Lanka maintain their flawless records with commanding performances.
Italy’s debut World Cup campaign reached a fever pitch as brothers Anthony and Justin Mosca dismantled the Nepalese attack. Chasing a modest 124, the pair remained unbeaten to complete the chase in just 12.4 overs.
The Stand: Anthony Mosca blazed 62 off 32 balls*, while Justin anchored the other end with 60 off 44*.
The Setup: Earlier, the Italian bowling unit, led by Crishan Kalugamage (3-18) and a miserly Ben Manenti (2-9), induced a total collapse in the Nepal middle order, restricting them to 123.
The result marks only the second time an Associate nation has recorded a 10-wicket victory in the tournament’s history.
In New Delhi, defending champion India crushed Namibia by 93 runs to stay atop Group A. Ishan Kishan made history by becoming the first Indian wicketkeeper to score a T20 World Cup fifty, smashing 61 off 24 balls. Hardik Pandya provided the finishing touch with a 28-ball 52 before taking 2-21 with the ball, while spinner Varun Chakravarthy left Namibia reeling with figures of 3-7.
Meanwhile, in Pallekele, Sri Lanka sent a warning to the rest of the field by posting 225-5 against Oman—the highest total of the 2026 edition so far. Captain Dasun Shanaka broke his own national record with a 19-ball half-century. Despite a sentimental 53 from Oman’s 43-year-old Mohammad Nadeem, the co-hosts secured a 105-run win to remain leaders of Group B.
Away from the pitch, football fans received concerning news as Inter Miami confirmed that Lionel Messi has sustained a left hamstring strain. The injury occurred during a preseason friendly against Barcelona SC in Ecuador. The back-to-back MLS MVP is now a major doubt for Inter Miami’s highly anticipated season opener against LAFC on February 21.
END/WSP/RH/
Comment: