Rome wasn’t built in a day. However, a team’s reputation can change in just three hours.
At the Wankhede Stadium, the Nepal vs Italy clash was a total shocker. It silenced the crowd and completely flipped the script for Group C. Italy’s Azzurri put on a clinic. They rolled Nepal for a tiny 123 and then knocked off the runs without losing a single wicket.
People won’t remember this NEP vs ITA T20 World Cup 2026 game as a close one; they’ll remember it as the day a European side finally proved they belong on the big stage. Italy’s spinners tied the Nepali batters in knots. Then, the openers came out and sprinted to the finish line with 44 balls left. This one result threw the whole group into chaos.
Beyond Pizza & Pasta: 3 Italian Cricketers Who Just Became Household Names
Fans hunting for NEP vs ITA T20 World Cup 2026 highlights kept searching for three specific names. These players turned a regular group match into a massive statement. They showed the world that Italian cricket actually possesses serious depth and talent.
1. Crishan Kalugamage:
Crishan Kalugamage walked away with the Player of the Match trophy after carving through Nepal’s middle order. His 3 for 18 looks good on paper, but those numbers hide his true brilliance. He outsmarted the batters with flight and drift, and removing the Nepal captain Rohit Paudel right when it mattered proved to be the killer blow. He effectively took the wind out of Nepal’s sails.
Anyone watching the NEP vs ITA T20 World Cup 2026 broadcast saw Kalugamage mess with his pace and variations all day. He wasn’t just trying to keep it tight; he was hunting for wickets. His spell ensured Nepal never got going. He kept them to a low total that the Italian openers eventually made look easy.
2. Ben Manenti:
Kalugamage brought the heat, but Ben Manenti was the one who wouldn’t let them breathe. Manenti gave away only nine runs in his four overs, one of the tightest spells of the tournament so far. His off-spin really got under the skin of the Nepali batters. The pressure got so frustrating that they started taking wild risks against the other bowlers.
Manenti hit his spots perfectly during the Nepal vs Italy game. He dried up the runs in the middle of the innings, which forced mistakes and led to wickets at the other end.
In a game where the bat usually wins, Manenti showed that dot balls are just as good as wickets. He bowled 24 balls and gave the opposition almost nothing. He cemented his status as a top-tier spinner in this competition.
3. Justin Mosca:
Chasing 124 might have been tricky on a dry, turning pitch, but Justin Mosca didn’t care. He smacked the Nepali bowlers all over the Wankhede. He turned the NEP vs ITA T20 World Cup 2026 chase into a total formality. Working with his brother, Anthony, Justin put on a masterclass of an opening stand. They chased the whole thing down in just 12.4 overs.
He went after them from the very first ball and clearly rattled the bowlers. He jumped on anything loose and kept the scoreboard ticking over with ease. He finished it off with a bunch of boundaries. The Nepal vs Italy match ended with him holding his bat high. He signalled to the world that Italy’s top order is a force to be reckoned with.
ALSO READ: NEP vs ITA T20 World Cup 2026: 4 Turning Points That Cost Nepal the Match
If you check the NEP vs ITA T20 World Cup 2026 scorecard, you’ll see a 10-wicket thrashing. But really, these three players provided the spark that ignited the Italian dream. The Azzurri are officially here.
