T20 World Cup | Tilak Varma gives an update on Abhishek’s fitness and mindset during rehab
The younger Justin hit three sixes and five fours in his 60 not out from 44 balls, while Anthony took full advantage of a deflated Nepali attack, smashing six sixes and three fours in a blazing 62 not out from just 32 deliveries.It was only Italy’s second match in T20 World Cup history when they suffered a 73-run defeat by Scotland at the start of the tournament in Kolkata.Nepal, who were tipped as favorites after their spirited performance against England at the same venue, are disappointing. None of their batsmen could find answers to Italy’s precise balls and sharp fielding, while the decision to retain their top spinner Sandeep Lamichhane for most of the Powerplay proved costly.By the time Lamichhane, who featured in several T20 leagues including the Indian Premier League, was introduced, the Italian openers were already racing to 58.Anthony set the tone with a 6 over long-on in the opening over before Justin took on Karan KC in the third and smashed two fours and a six. The Mosca brothers then hit Lalit Rajbanshi for six in the fourth over as Italy crossed the fifty in no time.Sailing at a rate of almost 10 runs, Italy faced little resistance as Nepal failed to create a single chance, much to the disappointment of the large crowd at the Wankhede Stadium.Earlier, Ben Manenti (2/9) and Crishan Kalugamage (3/18) led a brilliant attack as Italy bundled out Nepal cheaply. The spinner maintained relentless control, combining disciplined lines and lengths with excellent fielding to keep Nepal under constant pressure.Manenti bowled a miserable spell of 4-0-9-2 while Kalugamage took three wickets. Former South Africa international JJ Smuts chipped in with 1/22 from his four overs as Nepal crumbled.Manenti’s control made life easier for his younger brother Harry, who stepped in as captain after Italy lost regular captain Wayne Madsen to a dislocated shoulder. However, Madsen’s absence was barely felt as Italy operated as a well-oiled unit and their outfield players seized every opportunity.Kalugamage’s wrong’un meant Dipendra Singh Airee (17) while Aasif Sheikh was brilliantly beaten by Manenti keeper Gian-Piero Meade in the eighth. Italy’s discipline was reflected in a faultless fielding effort, with no dropped catches and no damage, which silenced the partisan crowd.Nepal’s innings ended with a run out by a direct hit from stand-in captain Harry Manenti. None of Nepal’s specialist batsmen were able to respond consistently on what remained a real batting surface.Only skipper Rohit Paudel showed brief resistance and hit two sixes before being caught on the boundary by Kalugamage’s googly. Aarif Sheikh top-scored with 27, hitting three fours, while Karan KC remained unbeaten on 18 off 11 balls, with one six and a four as Nepal’s innings ended.