Mosca brothers helped Italy create history at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday by defeating Nepal by 10 wickets. This was incidentally their first win in a men’s World Cup match.
Coming into this match, both the teams had a point to prove. Tournament debutants Italy were eager to show that they are not here to make up the numbers, while Nepal suffered a heartbreaking loss to England in their opening match.
In this battle of associate nations, it was Italy who came out with the right intent. From pole to podium, the Italians were in charge.
After electing to field, they put in a clinical performance with the ball and in the field to dismiss Nepal for 123. They never let up in the chase as well, cantering to the target in 12.4 overs. It was the kind of calm, dominant show befitting an experienced team rather than World Cup rookies.
The Nepal innings never really got going after losing Kushal Bhurtel. Captain Rohit Paudel tried to inject some urgency with a 23 off 14 balls and Aarif Sheikh top-scored with 27 lower down the order.
However, Italy’s spin-heavy attack and impressive fielding kept Nepal at bay. Not only did they clamp down the scoring, they also took timely wickets. Karan KC gave the innings a late fillip with a quickfire 18, but Nepal folded at 123 in 19.3 overs.
Leg-spinner Crishan Kalugamage finished with three wickets, including that of captain Pauel and the experienced Dipendra Singh Airee, while off-spinner Benjamin Manenti was exceptional, claiming 2/9 in his four overs.
The Italians made a meal of the modest total. Anthony Mosca and brother Justin Mosca were unstoppable, as they matched each other stroke for stroke, power for power. Justin struck five fours and three sixes for 60 not out, while Anthony, three years older, slammed six sixes and three fours for an unbeaten 62 off 32 balls.
“It’s pretty extraordinary really. It’s something a lot of people in Italy, a lot of people in this group, have dreamed of. We didn’t quite nail it the other day, but we backed up today and showed the world what we’ve got,” Italian skipper Harry Manenti said on making history with the country’s first cricket World Cup victory.
“The last few days have been good. We’re in India at a World Cup; the support staff have made it clear to enjoy what we’re doing here. We enjoy each other’s company, we sit down and have a meal with each other each night. We’ve got brothers in our side, and I see it that we have 15 of them,” Harry said.
On Anthony and Justin Mosca seeing it home with an unbeaten 124 – the highest sibling stands in all T20Is, he said: “The Two Mosca boys… I say boys, they’re a bit older than me… we’ve played together for a long time and it’s pretty special to see them dominate on the world stage today. They beat Ben and I the other day (brotherly stand of 73), but that’s fine.”
Crishan Kalugamage was named the Player of the Match for his three for 18 spell which undermined the Nepal innings. “I always wanted to help the team to win a match and do my best for my nation, Italy. I’m happy. These are my brothers. I’m really happy,” he said.
Brief scores: Nepal 123 in 19.3 overs (Aasif Sheikh 20, Rohit Paudel 23, Aarif Sheikh 27, Karan KC 18 not out; Crishan kalugamage 3/18, Ben Manenti 2/9) lost to Italy 124 for no loss in 12.4 overs (Justin Mosca 60 not out, Anthony Mosca 62 not out).
