At the iconic Eden Gardens, West Indies reinforced their supremacy in Group C of the T20 World Cup with a comprehensive 42-run victory over Italy, leaving their debutant opponents struggling under pressure. After losing the toss, West Indies opted to bat first and posted a competitive total of 165 for 6 in 20 overs, setting the stage for a disciplined bowling performance that would make headlines.
The Caribbean side’s innings was anchored by captain Shai Hope, who struck a classy 75 off 46 balls, guiding his team to a strong foundation. Roston Chase and Sherfane Rutherford contributed 24 runs each, remaining unbeaten and ensuring a steady finish. Despite a batting-friendly pitch, West Indies’ approach was measured, scoring 76 in the first ten overs and accelerating to 89 for 4 in the latter half.
Italy’s chase, however, faltered early. Matthew Ford struck in the second over, removing Justin Mosca and breaking the opening partnership of the Mosca brothers. Spin bowler Aquil Hossain followed up by dismissing Anthony Mosca for 19 off 12 balls, and Said Nakhvi fell two overs later to Ford’s pace. With three wickets down for just 37 runs in the powerplay, Italy struggled to rebuild.
No subsequent partnership managed to surpass 25 runs, with Ben Manenti top-scoring for Italy with 26. By the 12th over, Smats (24) was dismissed, leaving the visitors requiring 72 runs from the final six overs with five wickets in hand. They were bowled out for 123 in the 18th over, well short of the target.
The standout performer was Shamar Joseph, whose all-round brilliance captured the spotlight. He claimed 4 wickets for just 30 runs and took four catches in the field—a remarkable feat that made him the first cricketer, across both men’s and women’s T20 internationals, to achieve 4 wickets and 4 catches in a single match. In T20 World Cup history, he also became only the fifth non-wicketkeeper fielder to take four catches in a single game.
West Indies’ victory confirmed their position at the top of Group C with 8 points from 4 wins, while Italy finished fourth with a solitary win and 2 points, exiting the tournament at the group stage.
Match Summary Table:
| Team | Score | Top Scorers | Key Bowlers |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Indies | 165/6 (20 overs) | Shai Hope 75, Roston Chase 24, Sherfane Rutherford 24* | Manenti 2/37, Kalugamage 2/25 |
| Italy | 123 all out (18 overs) | Manenti 26, Smats 24, Mosca 19 | Joseph 4/30, Ford 3/19, Moti 2/24 |
Result: West Indies won by 42 runs
Player of the Match: Shai Hope (West Indies)
With both bat and ball, West Indies showcased a balanced and dominant performance, while Joseph’s record-setting display of pace bowling and fielding excellence stood out as the highlight of the match.