Italy vs Nepal Match 17 Full Commentary

Welcome back to the run chase. The players of Nepal can be seen in a huddle near the boundary ropes as they try to pump themselves up before spreading out on the field. The umpires are back out in the middle and it will be the Mosca brothers to open the innings for Italy. Anthony and Justin Mosca are out in the middle and it will be the latter to take strike. Karan KC has the new ball in hand and he is raring to go. Let's play...

... The Run Chase ...

Any chance of a comeback? 124 is a perfect total for Italy to chase down and they will feel they have a chance of making history here. However, Nepal have the spinners to turn it around and their seamers up top can be effective as well. The smaller boundaries and the history of the venue suggest that the chances of Nepal winning this game are bleak, but you never know. Stay tuned as the run chase is up next.

Underwhelming batting display - This is not the Nepal we saw just a few nights ago against the mighty English team. They had their desire to do well and played some smart cricket but in the first 20 overs today, they haven't done justice to their talent. The batting was meek to begin with as they tried to just block in the first 3 overs but they did get to a decent start when the first 6 overs ended. However, barring a couple of batters and Karan KC at the death, there wasn't much to write home about and the likes of Sandeep Lamichhane and Lalit Rajbanshi have a big job on their hands.

Italy's day out with the ball - Spin to win seems to be the mantra at the Wankhede, which is not the usual norm here. Italy have read the conditions perfectly and their spinners have done a fabulous job. The trio of JJ Smuts, Benjamin Manenti and Crishan Kalugamage ruled the roost. Manenti was miserly, Smuts was effective but Kalugamage was prolific in terms of ripping through the Nepal middle-order as he picked up 3 wickets. The pacers did go for a few runs but it didn't matter much as the fielding and catching were spot-on as well.

Advantage Italy at the break - What a stark contrast from the previous game as Italy have stepped up in the field and Nepal seem to have just taken things a bit casual against a side that is ranked lower than them. 123 is a pretty meagre total on the board and right now, the Italians will be feeling really happy with that effort.

A direct hit at the bowler's end and this could be out. The smart replay comes into action and the on-field umpire raises his finger. OUT!

Lalit Rajbanshi is the last batter in for Nepal.

Last over of the innings coming up. Ali Hasan has one over up his sleeve but given how his last over panned out, Harry Manenti has thrown the ball back to Jaspreet Singh (1-0-8-0).

The spinners are all bowled out for Italy. Ali Hasan (2-0-20-1) is back on.

The next batter is Sandeep Lamichhane.

Who is run out here? Confusion in the middle and Karan KC and Nandan Yadav are both at the same end. It is Yadav who is Run Out!

Another one-sided clash? So morning match goes to Sri Lanka. One sided. Afternoon clash goes to Italy. Historical but one sided. What will the final match of the day yield? It is the host nation India taking on Namibia in Delhi, in the second match for both sides. The contest is scheduled to start at 1.30 pm GMT but our buildup has already begun. Do head over to that matchcentre and have all the fun! ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Waka Waka aye aye! Let's take a look at the points table, folks. Italy are above England in the table as of now and nope, it isn't football. Let that sink in! Of course, they still have England and West Indies to play but life is all about being in the present, right? Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. But today, is a gift. That's why it is called as present. The lanes and pubs in Italy would be partying the whole night and they should be! How many bartenders would provide free beers to the public (of course for a limited duration) in celebration of their maiden World Cup win? Celebrate till you can, but recover quickly. Because Italy next meet England on Monday, 16th February, 2026 in an afternoon game (9.30 am GMT) at the Eden Gardens. As far as Nepal are concerned, it is almost the end of the road for them. But they need to maintain their self belief and come back stronger against West Indies, whom they meet in their next clash, on Sunday, 15th February, 2026, in a morning match (5.30 am GMT), again at the Wankhede. Less than 6 months ago, they had defeated the same West Indian side 2-1 in a bilateral series. They need to believe that they can win 3 games in 4 meetings.

The Mosca boys were brilliant - The victorious skipper of Italy, HARRY MANENTI, says that it feels great to win this game. Adds that when they qualified, that was a special moment but goes on to say that they gave their best in this match, showing the world the quality they possess. He adds that the boys were good, and the last few days have been good here in India. Manenti further mentions that the squad spends quality time together and it is important to stay together. He also says that the bowlers bowled really well and managed to take wickets till the end. Lauds the spinners and gives a shout out to some names like JJ Smuts and Crishan Kalugamage, and eventually, the two Mosca brothers for their brilliance with the bat. On being asked about the batting of the two Mosca brothers, Harry says that it feels good to watch them dominate with the bat. Ends by saying that England will be a tough game and so will be West Indies, but hopes that his side finds a way to beat both.

We didn't respect the conditions - The captain of Nepal, ROHIT PAUDEL, honestly admits that Italy outplayed his side. Details that while batting, Nepal missed out. Adds that it was not a 123 all out wicket and his batters messed it up. Rohit goes onto say that it was tough to bat early on but stresses that the team was looking at somewhere around 160-170, and batted very poorly. On being asked to delve further, Paudel bluntly says that Nepal did not respect the conditions. Explains that his batters played a few rash shots and his wicket was the turning point. Adds that Nepal played well in the Powerplay but suddenly things started to change after he got out. On the turnaround factor, both from the high against England, to the low in this match, Paudel says that to lift his team from the England game was not much challenging. Explains that as a team, the players are used to that. But as far as this game was concerned, Rohit says that they are professionals and not turning up for the game was disappointing. Sportingly says that he is not taking any credit from Italy, who played beautifully in this match and that full credit must go to them.

Player of the Match - It won't be a Mosca brother who gets the Player-Of-The-Match award. It is a Sri Lankan born who tosses up pizzas for an earning but tossed Nepal out of this match - CRISHAN KALUGAMAGE - for his wonderful bowling figures of 4-0-18-3. Kalugamage says that he is happy with the win, always wanted to help the team earn victory, and gave his best. He adds that he has worked hard with his coaching staff, and thanks his teammates and the coaching staff for trusting him. He finally speaks in Italian language and motivates his other friends to come and play for Italy.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

The massive collapse - Earlier in the day, Nepal strode out to the middle brimming full of confidence after giving a scare to England around 4 days ago. They were going okay at 93/3 in the 14th over but lost their way totally, losing 7/30 in 35 balls. The Sydney Sixers might be wondering why can't Benjamin Manenti bowl the way he did in this game, in the Big Bash. 4-0-9-2! Benjamin Manenti's opening spell set the tone while Lankan born Crishan Kalugamage ran through the middle order with 3 scalps. But the collapse was more due to poor shot selection, rather than brilliant bowling. Please stay tuned for the presentation...

Tough pill to swallow - Till September 2025, Nepal had never suffered a 10-wicket defeat in T20Is. And now, in a span of say 5-and-some months, they have been dealt with a couple. First, West Indies in Sharjah and here, by Italy, at the Wankhede. Some felt that with this being an afternoon game, the pitch will slow down and assist the spinners but the Nepalese bowlers simply could not get their lines and lengths correct. Not a single bowler could settle or was allowed to settle and pretty quickly, their shoulders started to drop.

Taking the bull by the horns - Well, the Wankhede turned up primarily in blue, with massive support for Nepal but is showing its love for cricket by applauding Italy as well. Such a dominant performance definitely deserves an applause. If Nepal had to win, early wickets were the key, for which, the Powerplay was the lock. Italy took hold of that phase and locked the Powerplay, by hammering 68 runs without losing a wicket. That 6-over phase had 6 fours and 5 sixes - total destruction. In fact, let's do an analogy, shall we? In WWE, there are two legends - Kane and Undertaker - called as the Brothers Of Destruction. Guess the Mosca brothers can be called the same, aye? They set the tone in the Powerplay and did not allow Nepal to come back at all. The Mosca brothers finished with 9 sixes and 8 fours between them, registering the third highest opening stand of this season. They are doing a victory parade around the ground now, along with their other team mates, thanking their loyal supporters in the crowd.

'Oh brother, where art thou? Right in the middle of the Wankhede, partying out.' Nice line by Michael Atherton to sum things up. The Mosca brothers are roaring out their celebrations in the middle, having demolished Nepal. A 124-run unbroken stand in just 76 balls. Elder brother Anthony makes 62, while the younger one Justin makes 60. Almost like backyard cricket - I won't allow you to go too far ahead of me, will always keep a watch over you. It is also Italy's maiden 10-wicket win in T20Is! What a stage to get that.

Dipendra Singh Airee to bowl what should be the final over of the match. 3-0-22-0 so far.

Right then. 3 runs needed. Will we need the 13th over?

Last over of the match? You wouldn't bet against it.

Halfway mark reached. As far as Italy are concerned, destination is also nearly reached. Sandeep Lamichhane comes back for the final rites. 2-0-17-0 so far.