Mosca brothers power Italy to first ever T20 World Cup Win
2026-02-12 - 13:16
MUMBAI – Underdog Italy registered history, as European nation stepped onto T20 World Cup stage with mission—and what followed was nothing short of spectacular. Chasing a modest 124, Mosca brothers, Anthony and Justin, took charge, smashing boundaries, clearing the ropes, and crafting an unbeaten 124-run partnership. The country lesser known for cricket got maiden win in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, annihilating Nepal by 10 wickets at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium on Thursday. Anthony Mosca led the charge with a whirlwind 62 off 32 balls, smashing three fours and six towering sixes, while Justin Mosca was equally spectacular, crafting an unbeaten 60 from 44 deliveries with five fours and three sixes. The duo’s masterclass ensured Italy cruised to a historic victory without losing a single wicket. Nepal, in response, struggled to build momentum and were bowled out for 123 in 19.3 overs. Aarif Sheikh top-scored with 27 off 24 balls, and captain Rohit Paudel injected some aggression with 23 off 14, including two huge sixes. Aasif Shaikh contributed 20 runs at a run-a-ball pace, while Karan KC remained unbeaten on 18 from 11 balls, hitting a four and a six. The rest of Nepal’s batting lineup faltered under relentless Italian bowling. Kushal Bhurtel fell cheaply for five, Dipendra Singh Airee made 17, and Lokesh Bam and Gulshan Jha managed just three runs apiece. Nandan Yadav was dismissed for a duck, Sandeep Lamichhane scored five, and Lalit Rajbanshi was run out without troubling the scorers. Italy’s bowlers were clinical, with Crishan Kalugamage emerging as the star, claiming 3/18 from four overs. Ben Manenti chipped in with two wickets, while Ali Hasan, JJ Smuts, and Jaspreet Singh picked up one each, delivering a performance that was nothing short of a masterclass in all-round cricket. With this emphatic win, Italy not only secured their first T20 World Cup victory but also announced themselves as a team to watch in the tournament. The Mosca brothers’ fireworks and Italy’s flawless bowling have set the stage for an unforgettable campaign. First-Ever Double Super Over in T20 World Cup History Stuns Cricket Fans