Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 12 (ANI): The Italian bowlers delivered a brilliant performance, restricting Nepal to a scant 123 runs in their group C match at the Wankhede Stadium in the T20 World Cup on Thursday.It was a poor batting display from a spirited Nepal side, after they showcased their capabilities in their previous group-stage match against England at the same stadium in Mumbai, which they lost by four runs.Crishan Kalugamage was the main culprit for Nepal’s underwhelming 123-run innings, picking up three wickets in four overs at a brilliant economy of 4.50. He conceded 18 runs in his spell.Coming to the match, Italy won the toss and opted to field first against Nepal. The Rhinos were off to a shaky start after losing Kushal Bhurtel (5) to Ali Hasan in the second over as Nepal scored 8/1.Aasif Sheikh and captain Rohit Paudel stitched a 41-run stand for the second wicket until they lost two quick wickets.Paudel lost his wicket to Kalugamage, and Aasif was dismissed by Ben Manenti, leaving Nepal crumbled to 49/3 in the eighth over.Then a vital 43-run fourth-wicket partnership between Dipendra Singh Airee and Aarif Sheikh followed, before another collapse. However, a sudden collapse happened after a brilliant bowling performance by Italy.Dipendra Singh Airee went after scoring 17, Aarif scored 27, Lokesh Bam (3), Gulsan Jha (3), and Nadan Yadav (0) as Nepal crumbled to 8/102 in the 17th over. Nepal lost 5 wickets for just nine runs.Towards the end, Nepal were bundled out for a below-par score of 123 in 19.3 overs. For Italy, Ben Manenti (2/9), Ali Hasan (1/34), JJ Smuts (1/22), Kalugamage (3/18) and Jaspreet Singh (1/8) were among the wicket takers. (ANI)(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)
