West Indies have a good time taking a wicket in the course of the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup 2026 match towards Italy at Eden Gardens on February 19, 2026 in Kolkata, India. — AFP
KOLKATA: West Indies have topped their group within the first stage of the T20 World Cup after a 42-run win over Italy at Eden Gardens on Thursday.
Setting a goal of 166, the Caribbean aspect bowled Italy out for 123 in 18 overs, with their bowlers producing a stellar efficiency.
JJ Smuts top-scored for Italy with 24 runs off 27 balls, together with three boundaries, whereas Anthony Mosca contributed 19 off 12 deliveries, hitting a 4 and two sixes.
Grant Stewart added 12 runs off seven balls, together with a six, however different batters struggled to make an influence.
Shamar Joseph starred with the ball for West Indies, claiming 4/30 in 4 overs. Matthew Forde took three wickets, Gudakesh Motie grabbed two, and Akeal Hosein chipped in with one.
Batting first, West Indies made a shaky begin, dropping opener Brandon King on the primary ball of the second over. He was dismissed by Ali Hasan after scoring 4 off six deliveries.
The Caribbean aspect suffered one other setback within the powerplay when Shimron Hetmyer fell cheaply for one off 4 balls to Thomas Draca, leaving the workforce at 31-2 in 4.1 overs.
Skipper Shai Hope and Roston Chase then steadied the innings with a vital partnership, guiding the overall previous the 50-run mark.
Nonetheless, their 64-run stand was damaged within the thirteenth over when Chase was dismissed for twenty-four off 25 deliveries, together with two fours, with the rating at 95-3 in 12.3 overs.
Hope was in high type with the bat and anchored the innings with a well-compiled T20I half-century, serving to his aspect attain a aggressive complete.
Nonetheless, wickets continued to fall at common intervals. The West Indies misplaced their fourth wicket when Ben Manenti dismissed the batter for a run-a-ball 9. Within the following over, Hope’s spectacular knock of 75 off 46 deliveries — that includes six fours and 4 sixes — got here to an finish.
Jason Holder additionally departed after scoring 9 off seven balls, falling to Crishan Kalugamage.
The innings concluded with Sherfane Rutherford unbeaten on 24 off 15 deliveries, putting two fours and a six, whereas Matthew Forde chipped in with 16 off eight balls, together with three boundaries.
For Italy, Ben Manenti and Crishan Kalugamage claimed two wickets apiece, whereas Thomas Draca and Ali Hasan contributed one wicket every.
