T20 World Cup: Pizzeria activist Krishan Kalugamage, Mosca brothers lead Italy to first ever World Cup win, 10-wicket win against Nepal
When Anthony Moska dug a yorker-length ball from Dipendra Singh Ari in the 13th over and ran for the single that sealed it, he threw both arms into the sky of Mumbai. Then a roar was heard. E. At the other end, his brother Justin was waiting. The hug was immediate. Soon there were tears.
Italy had silenced the Nepali-heavy crowd and created history – 10-wicket win over Nepal Group C , and their first win in the World Cup. Margin was strong. Performance, clinical. And at its heart were three men who wrote an evening in Italian cricket and so on.
Pursuing 124 runs, the Mosca brothers scored h Trivialized the target in 12.4 overs. Justin, who is three years younger by profession and a physical education teacher, set the tone. Powerplay was a massacre – 50 runs in four overs because he had Torn up fast bowlers and spinners alike, drive, pull and loft with fearless intent.
Justin, who grew up in Sydney with Anthon yes, never fulfilled his ambitions to become a professional ा।
“I never aspired to play professional cricket in Australia. I studied for a teaching degree and was in university, so it was hard for me to pursue cricket. I love cricket for the competitive side and the team aspect, which is why I love playing with these boys, ”he told The Indian Express.
On Thursday, hanging in the balance with Italy, he He produced perhaps the best innings of his life as the evening sun set over Mumbai.
At the other end stood Anthony, a carpenter and a builder for 12 years, Matt ching his brother for a stroke. Sixes were flowing on both sides of the wicket. Nepalese bowlers looked for control but found none. Italy were 68/0 after six overs, the competition decided effectively.
Read also | T20 World Cup: Who will set the locks flowing like Italian football legends Paolo Maldini and Roberto Baggio?
“There were definitely some tears in the boys' eyes. It meant a lot, especi for two Mosca brothers – It was unprecedented to chase 100 at once. We were also excellent in this area. In our first game, nothing went our way. Today, everything happened. But it was because we shed instead of being temporary Durr played cricket as we did in our first World Cup match (against Scotland). Seeing AJ Mosca in tears reveals what it means. You don't often see players crying on the group stage Victory – but that's what the Italians bring, "said Acting Captain Harry Manenti in the post-match presentation.
The two brothers completed their fifties in the 11th over. Rohit Pa Udel reveals his spin options Shuffled through, checked for a breakthrough, but no opening. The pair remained unbeaten – Anthony for 62, Justin for 60 – as Italy won with 44 balls to spare.
I if moss When Kuskas finished with the bat, Krishan Kalugamage started working with the ball. Most Sundays, the 34-year-old is shaping dough in a pizzeria in Luka, tattooing orders during one of the Tuscany The busiest shift of ’fetching'. On Thursday, he shaped something very big – Nepal's innings.
Also read | Meet the Italian team pizza maker Krishan Kalugamage – who is from Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Born in 2007, the leg-spinner, who moved to Italy with his parents in 2007, returned figures of 3/18 in four overs. These were not token wickets at the time of death. Rohit Poudel, Deepender Singh Ari and Gulshan Jha all gi For its variations, each dismissal tightens Italy's grip.
His journey has been nothing but straightforward.
“I lost a lot of jobs. Sunday is a very busy day, lots of bosses for you A is not keen working because you are playing cricket, "he had told the BBC, underlining the sacrifices required to take cricket forward in a country where sports barely register t is occurring.
Once a fast bowler, repeated injuries forced him to reassess. The switch proved to be transformative. Roma Creek in 2015-16 Since joining T Club and joining the national team in 2022, Kalugamage has evolved as a control bowler. Before the World Cup, he also played with Sri Lanka as a net bowler Spent time, consulted Wanindu Hasranga - one of the leg-spinners along with Sha - Warne and Rashid Khan.
In the afternoon sun in Mumbai, Tuscany's Pizzaiolo gave a spin with a bite until the moss By the time his brother got out, it was hard work. The rest of Italy did-and made history.
Brief Score: Nepal all out for 123 in 19.3 overs (Arif Sheikh 27; Krishan Kalugamage 3/18) 12.4 overs I lost to Italy by 124/0 (Anthony Moska 62*, Justin Moska 60*) by 10 wickets.
Italy had silenced the Nepali-heavy crowd and created history – 10-wicket win over Nepal Group C , and their first win in the World Cup. Margin was strong. Performance, clinical. And at its heart were three men who wrote an evening in Italian cricket and so on.
Pursuing 124 runs, the Mosca brothers scored h Trivialized the target in 12.4 overs. Justin, who is three years younger by profession and a physical education teacher, set the tone. Powerplay was a massacre – 50 runs in four overs because he had Torn up fast bowlers and spinners alike, drive, pull and loft with fearless intent.
Justin, who grew up in Sydney with Anthon yes, never fulfilled his ambitions to become a professional ा।
“I never aspired to play professional cricket in Australia. I studied for a teaching degree and was in university, so it was hard for me to pursue cricket. I love cricket for the competitive side and the team aspect, which is why I love playing with these boys, ”he told The Indian Express.
On Thursday, hanging in the balance with Italy, he He produced perhaps the best innings of his life as the evening sun set over Mumbai.
At the other end stood Anthony, a carpenter and a builder for 12 years, Matt ching his brother for a stroke. Sixes were flowing on both sides of the wicket. Nepalese bowlers looked for control but found none. Italy were 68/0 after six overs, the competition decided effectively.
Read also | T20 World Cup: Who will set the locks flowing like Italian football legends Paolo Maldini and Roberto Baggio?
“There were definitely some tears in the boys' eyes. It meant a lot, especi for two Mosca brothers – It was unprecedented to chase 100 at once. We were also excellent in this area. In our first game, nothing went our way. Today, everything happened. But it was because we shed instead of being temporary Durr played cricket as we did in our first World Cup match (against Scotland). Seeing AJ Mosca in tears reveals what it means. You don't often see players crying on the group stage Victory – but that's what the Italians bring, "said Acting Captain Harry Manenti in the post-match presentation.
The two brothers completed their fifties in the 11th over. Rohit Pa Udel reveals his spin options Shuffled through, checked for a breakthrough, but no opening. The pair remained unbeaten – Anthony for 62, Justin for 60 – as Italy won with 44 balls to spare.
I if moss When Kuskas finished with the bat, Krishan Kalugamage started working with the ball. Most Sundays, the 34-year-old is shaping dough in a pizzeria in Luka, tattooing orders during one of the Tuscany The busiest shift of ’fetching'. On Thursday, he shaped something very big – Nepal's innings.
Also read | Meet the Italian team pizza maker Krishan Kalugamage – who is from Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Born in 2007, the leg-spinner, who moved to Italy with his parents in 2007, returned figures of 3/18 in four overs. These were not token wickets at the time of death. Rohit Poudel, Deepender Singh Ari and Gulshan Jha all gi For its variations, each dismissal tightens Italy's grip.
His journey has been nothing but straightforward.
“I lost a lot of jobs. Sunday is a very busy day, lots of bosses for you A is not keen working because you are playing cricket, "he had told the BBC, underlining the sacrifices required to take cricket forward in a country where sports barely register t is occurring.
Once a fast bowler, repeated injuries forced him to reassess. The switch proved to be transformative. Roma Creek in 2015-16 Since joining T Club and joining the national team in 2022, Kalugamage has evolved as a control bowler. Before the World Cup, he also played with Sri Lanka as a net bowler Spent time, consulted Wanindu Hasranga - one of the leg-spinners along with Sha - Warne and Rashid Khan.
In the afternoon sun in Mumbai, Tuscany's Pizzaiolo gave a spin with a bite until the moss By the time his brother got out, it was hard work. The rest of Italy did-and made history.
Brief Score: Nepal all out for 123 in 19.3 overs (Arif Sheikh 27; Krishan Kalugamage 3/18) 12.4 overs I lost to Italy by 124/0 (Anthony Moska 62*, Justin Moska 60*) by 10 wickets.
Also Read | How Harbhajan's off-spin made Ricky Ponting feel alone and helpless
The famous 2001 Test win against Australia was all about the Dravid-Laxman partnership, as well as how Harbhajan Singh's final trap sent the famous Australian line-up on a 16-match losing streak Was. details the mood in the Australian camp and how their batting deteriorated under constant pressure from Harbhajan. The atmosphere was there, but from the moment I stepped into this country for the first time, it became clear to me that Indians respect him. Knew. Didn't worry Ng. Deep deep. It might have changed, but clearly it did not.
Which became the third team to win the Test after four matches. Had batted against.
Don't believe that he had Dravid LBW in the last over before lunch. He was completely terrified at the conclusion of this Test - a quip for which he somehow escaped scrutiny - I don't think he was particularly thinking about it (Ponting bowling), some LBW decisions. It's also the last day about the decision, but they should have included it because it was equally controversial,'' he wrote.
Gave consolation.
"But as soon as Harbhajan started swinging the ball in the Test, I was there immediately," Miley said.
Decided to go down while winging it. For helping me to solve my problems against f spinner. Will take turning wickets to get the score.
I made sure that when I was captain I was always there for the players who were struggling.
Which became the third team to win the Test after four matches. Had batted against.
Don't believe that he had Dravid LBW in the last over before lunch. He was completely terrified at the conclusion of this Test - a quip for which he somehow escaped scrutiny - I don't think he was particularly thinking about it (Ponting bowling), some LBW decisions. It's also the last day about the decision, but they should have included it because it was equally controversial,'' he wrote.
Gave consolation.
"But as soon as Harbhajan started swinging the ball in the Test, I was there immediately," Miley said.
Decided to go down while winging it. For helping me to solve my problems against f spinner. Will take turning wickets to get the score.
I made sure that when I was captain I was always there for the players who were struggling.
Also Read | Why does Anil Kumble think Sanju Samson's signing will contribute to CSK's fan following?
Former India bowler Anil Kumble opened up about Sanju Samson's move from Rajasthan Royals to Chennai Super Kings ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League season starting on March 28. Champion CSK will take on Sanju's former franchise RR in their opening match on March 30 in Guwahati.
Continue the session. .
Continue the session. .
Also Read | Why can the team's total score be 300 runs in the 2026 IPL?
The descriptions of batsmen who saw their teams slip when the 300-run mark in T20 was within arm's reach are akin to those of mountaineers who were caught back on base within touching distance of E. Had to move away. were looted; Rerana. Can. The hawks are waiting.
Also Read | Kamran Akmal criticized the Pakistan team after the series loss to Bangladesh: 'Do you want to steal the ICC trophy and bring it back?'
After a disappointing performance in the ICC T20 World Cup, Pakistan suffered an ODI series defeat to Bangladesh. Tore both of them and said that at this pace, how will the party progress?
And you have to remain fit in all three departments.
And you have to remain fit in all three departments.
Also Read | Why can the team's total score be 300 runs in IPL 2026?
The descriptions of batsmen who saw their teams slip when the 300-run mark in T20 was within arm's reach are akin to those of mountaineers who were caught back on base within touching distance of E. Had to move away. were looted; Rerana. Can. The hawks are waiting.
