T20 WC 2026: West Indies Storm into Super 8 Unbeaten with 42-Run Win Over Italy

Kolkata: West Indies sealed their place in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026 with a commanding 42-run victory over Italy at the Eden Gardens on Thursday, finishing the group stage unbeaten.

Defending a total of 165, West Indies produced a disciplined bowling performance to dismiss Italy for 123 in 18 overs. Fast bowler Shamar Joseph led the charge with an impressive four-wicket haul, while Matthew Forde chipped in with three crucial scalps.

Earlier, West Indies captain Shai Hope continued his rich vein of form, anchoring the innings with a superb 75 off 46 deliveries. His knock, studded with six boundaries and four sixes, propelled the two-time champions to 165/6 in their allotted 20 overs against a well-organised Italian bowling unit.

### Italy Falter in Chase

Italy’s pursuit of the target got off to a shaky start. Justin Mosca was dismissed for 2 in the opening over, and his brother Anthony Mosca followed soon after, despite a brisk 19 off 12 balls that included a four and two sixes.

Matthew Forde struck again during the powerplay, removing Syed Naqvi to leave Italy struggling at 37/3. JJ Smuts and Harry Manenti attempted to stabilise the innings, but Manenti’s dismissal for 8 compounded Italy’s woes as they reached 61/4 at the halfway mark.

Smuts briefly resisted with a 24-run effort before spinner Gudakesh Motie trapped him in the 12th over. Ben Manenti (26 off 21, with two fours and a six) and Grant Stewart (12 off 7) mounted a short-lived recovery with a 25-run partnership, but West Indies quickly regained control with successive breakthroughs.

Shamar Joseph emerged as the standout performer, finishing with figures of 4/30 in four overs. Forde claimed 3/25, while Motie took two wickets and Akeal Hossain added one.

### Hope Anchors West Indies Innings

Batting first after losing the toss, West Indies suffered an early setback as Brendon King fell cheaply. Shimron Hetmyer also departed for just one, leaving the side at 48/2 at the end of the powerplay.

Hope then steadied the innings with a 64-run partnership alongside Roston Chase (24), reaching his half-century in just 28 balls. Despite Italy striking back with quick wickets — including Rowman Powell and Hope himself — West Indies maintained momentum.

Sherfane Rutherford (24 off 15) and Matthew Forde (16 off 8) added a brisk 28-run stand in the closing overs to ensure a competitive total.

### Brief Scores

West Indies 165/6 in 20 overs (Shai Hope 75, Roston Chase 24, Sherfane Rutherford 24*; Crishan Kalugamage 2-24, Ben Manenti 2-37)
beat
Italy 123 all out in 18 overs (Ben Manenti 26, JJ Smuts 24; Shamar Joseph 4-30, Matthew Forde 3-25, Gudakesh Motie 2-24)

West Indies won by 42 runs.

With inputs from IANS