Italy scripted a landmark victory by crushing Nepal by 10 wickets in Match 17 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, the Azzurri executed their plans with precision to bundle Nepal out for 123 in 19.3 overs. What followed was a commanding display of batting dominance, as the Mosca brothers combined for an unbroken opening stand to complete the chase in just 12.4 overs, sealing one of Italy’s finest moments in T20 World Cup history.

Nepal showed glimpses of promise early on but failed to build substantial partnerships. Kushal Bhurtel departed cheaply, while skipper Rohit Paudel injected momentum with a brisk 23 off 14 balls. Aarif Sheikh added a steady 27, and Karan KC’s unbeaten 18 at the death lifted the total beyond 120. However, Italy’s bowlers maintained consistent pressure, striking at key intervals. Crishan Kalugamage claimed three wickets, while Ben Manenti delivered a miserly spell, conceding just nine runs and picking up two crucial scalps.

Chasing 124, Italy’s openers Justin Mosca and Anthony Mosca produced a batting masterclass marked by confidence and authority. They capitalized on the powerplay, racing to 68 without loss inside six overs and dismantling Nepal’s attack. Justin remained unbeaten on 60 from 44 balls, anchoring the innings, while Anthony blazed 62 off just 32 deliveries, clearing the ropes six times. Their flawless 124-run partnership ensured a swift, clinical finish, underlining Italy’s growing stature and self-belief on the global T20 stage.

See Also: Know story of opening brothers Justin and Anthony Mosca featuring for Italy in T20 World Cup 2026

T20 World Cup 2026: Updated Points Table After NEP vs ITA Match 17

Group A

Group B

Group C

Group D

T20 World Cup 2026: Top Performances

Most Runs

Most Wickets

Nepal (NEP) and Italy (ITA) are set to face off in Match No. 17 of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, February 12. Both sides will be eager to register crucial points as the group stage intensifies. Nepal enter the contest with confidence despite falling short in their opener, while Italy will be determined to bounce back after a challenging start to their maiden T20 World Cup campaign on the global stage.

Led by Rohit Paudel, Nepal pushed England to the brink in a thrilling chase of 185, finishing agonisingly close at 180/6, with Sam Curran’s superb final over sealing England’s escape. Italy, meanwhile, endured a difficult outing against Scotland, losing skipper Wayne Madsen early to injury as they conceded 207/4 and were bowled out for 134. Despite the setback, Ben Manenti impressed with the bat, while Ali Hasan delivered a noteworthy effort with the ball for the Azzurri.

See Also: Watch: Jasprit Bumrah's fast yorker injures Ishan Kishan ahead of IND vs NAM T20 World Cup 2026 clash

T20 World Cup 2026,Match 17, NEP vs ITA: Live Streaming Details

T20 World Cup 2026,Match 17, NEP vs ITA: Probable Playing XI

Nepal (NEP):

Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (WK), Rohit Paudel (C), Dipendra Singh, Aarif Sheikh, Lokesh Bam, Gulshan Jha, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Sandeep Lamichhane, Sher Malla.

Italy (ITA):

Justin Mosca, Anthony Mosca, JJ Smuts, Zain Ali, Harry Manenti, Ben Manenti, Grant Stewart, Gian Meade (WK), Crishan Kalugamage, Thomas Draca, Ali Hasan.

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 match between Nepal and the England cricket team ended in disappointment for Nepal yet it created doubtless worldwide cricketing community about their capabilities. The Nepal cricket team received respect from their match against two-time champions which they played at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium because they lost the match by only four runs.

Young pacer Nandan Yadav explained that Nepal will use their match experience when he answered the question about which lessons Nepal would take forward from the match. The light-hearted comment expressed the current confidence and ambition which Nepal camp displays after their exciting match performance.

England set a challenging target by scoring 184 runs for 7 wickets after winning the toss because Jacob Bethell and Harry Brook built the foundation which Will Jacks used to boost their team's performance. But Nepal continued to fight back. The partnership between Dipendra Singh Airee and captain Rohit Paudel established fundamental match needs which their partnership maintained until Lokesh Bam completed his impressive performance to force the match into its final over.

Watch the video:

Question: What lessons does Nepal take from this England game moving forward?

Nandan Yadav said "Hitting some sixes like MS Dhoni".

🫡🫡 pic.twitter.com/0tJeThnbBG

— Abhi⚒️ (@abhi_backup07) February 9, 2026

ALSO SEE: Watch: “Don’t push me…”- Aakash Chopra and Parthiv Patel troll Babar Azam in live commentary during T20 WC 2026

Heartbreak, praise and belief as Nepal earn global respect

The match reached its climax when England required 10 runs during their last six balls and Sam Curran maintained his composure by delivering accurate yorkers which prevented Nepal from achieving their historic victory while England managed to win by only a small margin.

The near-miracle didn’t go unnoticed. South African legend Dale Steyn took to social media to praise Nepal’s fearless cricket - even offering his coaching services to help the emerging side grow further.

Nandan found Steyn's message to be unreal according to his statement. "A legend who ruled cricket for 10 years tweeting about us is a huge thing," he said. "The players received complete recognition from the management but they needed to take those decisions."

The defeat brought painful consequences for Nepal, but it helped them develop new confidence and earned them respect, which proved they could compete with cricket giants on the international stage.

The Nepal cricket team received international praise for its brave match against England during the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup which has now been recognized by the country's highest government authority. Prime Minister Sushila Karki of Nepal praised the national team for their brave performance against their opponent during the Wankhede Stadium match which ended with a four-run loss.

Karki expressed his admiration for the team's fighting spirit and their ability to endure through challenges because he believed their performance had greater value than their final match result. She stated in Nepali that the win–loss outcome of the game exists as a fundamental rule. The way we performed today matters more than the win-loss outcome. The performance of the Nepali team deserves recognition because our team still possesses hope for victory. 

Nepal almost achieved one of the biggest T20 World Cup upsets when they attempted to chase down England's formidable total. Nepal needed to score a six on the match's last ball but they finished the game with 180 runs and six wicketsremaining.

All-rounder Sam Curran delivered an unflinching final over for England which included accurate yorkers that prevented Nepal from achieving their dream victory while securing a narrow win for the former champions.

जित–हार खेलको नियम हो । हामीले कसरी खेल्यौँ, त्यो महत्त्वपूर्ण हो । आज नेपाली टोलीको प्रदर्शन तारिफयोग्य छ । आशा अझै बाँकी छ ।
(तस्बिर: क्यान)#T20WorldCup2026 #Nepal pic.twitter.com/PzkuzzID9h

— Prime Minister Sushila Karki (@pmsushilakarki) February 8, 2026

ALSO SEE: Dale Steyn makes a special offer for Nepal after impressive ENG vs NEP match in ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026

Nation rallies behind Nepal as fearless display wins global admiration

The Prime Minister watched the contest earlier in the day which made her happy because she praised Nepal's bowling performance. She had publicly rallied behind the squad before the match, calling it a historic moment for Nepal cricket on the world stage.

The players used their performance to show all of Nepal that their country had become a strong world cricketing nation. The defeat brought Nepal deep suffering, but their performance won the people's affection across the globe. Fans and former players and cricketing legends praised the emerging nation because it had pushed one of the strongest teams in world cricket to the very edge.

Nepal demonstrated through its latest performance that it has evolved from being a team which only takes part in international competitions into a team which competes internationally while creating outstanding moments which impact the entire cricketing community.

Nepal achieved worldwide recognition when they nearly defeated England during their exciting match at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which ended with them losing by four runs because they could not complete one of the most remarkable World Cup upsets. The Mumbai Wankhede Stadium match demonstrated how Nepal has quickly developed into an international cricketing power. 

England lost three early wicket after they won the toss because Phil Salt got out for a low score and Jos Buttler only scored 26 runs. The innings found stability through the partnership between Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell because both players reached fifty runs while batting at a quick speed. Nepal's main all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee struck pivotal wickets for England which resulted in a batting breakdown before Nepal reached 184 for 7. 

Kushal Bhurtel's aggressive batting display started Nepal's chase yet England bowler Liam Dawson delivered vital wickets which disrupted their progress. Captain Rohit Paudel and Airee led a stunning comeback which produced an 82-run partnership that restored faith in the supporters. Lokesh Bam took over after Airee's dismissal and he scored an unbeaten 39 runs from 20 balls which brought Nepal closer to victory.

Cricket world applauds Nepal’s heroic fight despite narrow defeat

Sam Curran who plays for England needed to bowl accurate yorkers because his team required ten runs from the last over. Bam's last attempt resulted in a hit that became a catch at long-off location which left Nepal with 180 runs for 6 wickets in their match against history.

Huge respect to Nepal🇳🇵Took on one of the best teams in the world, stayed in the fight till the very last ball and showed what belief and heart can do! 🫡 This is how teams grow and this is how champions rise 👏🏻 The cricketing world is watching!#ENGvsNEP #ICCT20WORLDCUP…

— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) February 8, 2026

ALSO SEE: Watch: Nepal’s women’s side backs their boys during ENG vs NEP T20 World Cup 2026 clash

The cricketing world erupted in praise. Nepal received coaching offers from former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn while commentator Harsha Bhogle praised the match for its display of heart and courage. Indian legend Ravichandran Ashwin called Nepal one of the best emerging cricket nations, and ex-England captain Michael Vaughan admitted the skill on display was exceptional.

Yuvraj Singh expressed complete understanding of the situation through his statement. Nepal had a great respect for their opponent who occupied a position as one of the world's strongest teams. Nepal achieved their first historical victory through "belief and "heart." The cricketing world is watching!

Nepal suffered a defeat according to the scoreboard, but they gained international recognition which proved their upcoming success would happen soon.

On February 8th, 2026, the streets outside Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium are already alive with color and rhythm as Nepal prepare to face England in the T20 World Cup 2026. Waves of Nepali fans, draped in flags and traditional attire, have gathered in huge numbers, their voices rising in chants and songs that echo through the bustling lanes. Groups break into spontaneous dances, dhol beats mix with cheers, and the atmosphere feels more like a festival than a cricket match. The energy is infectious as every smile, every step, every shout carrying the pride of a nation ready to witness history.

This match also marked a significant chapter in Nepal cricket’s journey. The 2026 T20 World Cup is the third appearance for the Nepal cricket team on the global stage. Their first-ever T20 World Cup came in 2014, a historic breakthrough that announced Nepal as a rising cricketing nation. What followed was a long wait, a decade long gap before Nepal returned to the tournament in 2024, carrying the hopes of a new generation of players and fans. Now, in 2026, Nepal are back again, no longer just participants but a team growing in belief and experience, with Nepal fans rallying behind them stronger than ever.

See also; Watch: Saim Ayub’s No-Look shot vs Netherlands in T20 World Cup 2026 clash

Together, these moments reflect how Nepal’s cricket journey is steadily gaining strength. With every World Cup appearance, the team looks more settled, more confident, and more prepared for the highest level.There is a quiet but powerful belief building among supporters, a hope that goes beyond mere participation. Slowly and steadily, Nepal are becoming a team that believes in itself, backed by fans who dare to dream that one day, this journey could end with the ultimate prize—the World Cup.

Watch the video;

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 8, 2026

A Dream Growing Louder With Every Game

Placed in Group C, Nepal face a challenging yet exciting road at the T20 World Cup 2026, with matches scheduled against England, West Indies, Scotland, and Italy. An added advantage for Nepal is that all of their group stage matches will be played at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, allowing the team time to understand the pitch, conditions, and atmosphere. As the tournament progresses, familiarity with the surface could work in Nepal’s favour, giving them the confidence to adapt quickly and take advantage of crucial moments. With belief growing inside the camp, Nepal will hope to maximise this opportunity and push for as many victories as possible.

For Nepal, this World Cup is not just about results on the scoreboard, but about the belief being built with every appearance on the global stage. Each match adds experience, confidence, and clarity to a side that is steadily learning what it takes to compete at the highest level. The journey from 2014 to 2026 reflects patience and progress, a team growing stronger with time, and a cricketing nation beginning to trust its own potential.

As Nepal fans continue to celebrate the game like a festival, their faith remains the team’s greatest strength. From dancing outside stadiums to chanting until the final ball, they carry a hope that stretches beyond one tournament. It is the belief that Nepal are not here merely to participate, but to challenge and inspire, and one day, to win it all. In that shared dream between team and supporters, the future of Nepal cricket feels brighter than ever.

Nepal cricket team has got a massive boost in less than a month before the beginning of their journey in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, as the former Australian cricketer, a member of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 winners, joins the Nepal coaching staff.

Ian Harvey joins Nepal as bowling consultant

The former Australian all-rounder Ian Harvey has joined the Nepal team as the bowling consultant for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. The 53-year-old was a right-handed batter and right-arm medium pacer who was a member of the Australian team that won the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003, which was hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Kenya. In that tournament, he played six games (including all Super Six fixtures and the Semi-final), where he scored 66 runs and took eight wickets. 

After making his debut for Australia in December 1997, Harvey played 73 ODIs, where he scored 715 runs with an average of 17.87 and also picked up 85 wickets, including four four-wicket hauls. 

In his cricket career, Harvey scored 8409 first-class runs, 5977 List A runs, and 1470 T20 runs. Apart from 15 first-class centuries, including his highest score of 209 not out, the right-handed batter also hit two List A hundreds and three T20 centuries. Moreover, the right-arm medium pacer recorded 425 first-class wickets, 445 List A wickets, and 52 T20 wickets. In his first-class career, he recorded 15 fifers and two 10-wicket hauls, while he also claimed nine fifers in his List A career. Harvey also recorded one four-fer in his T20 career.   

T20 World Cup 2026: This KKR star can be ideal to replace Washington Sundar

Do You Know: Ian Harvey was first batter to hit T20 century

Ian Harvey was the first cricketer to record a T20 century, back in 2003, serving for Gloucestershire against Warwickshire. He was also the first batter to record multiple T20 hundreds. 

Harvey is set join the Nepal team, where the head coach is another former Australian cricketer Stuart Law, who was a member of the Australian team in the 1996 World Cup, which finished as runners-up. Harvey previously coached Gloucestershire.  

Nepal are in Group C in ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026

India and Sri Lanka will host the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 from February 7 to March 8. Nepal are in Group C along with England, West Indies, Bangladesh, and Italy. Nepal will start their tournament journey with the match against England on February 8, and then they will face Italy, the West Indies, and Bangladesh on February 12, 15, and 17, respectively. 

Nepal have officially announced their 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, signalling both continuity and quiet confidence as they prepare for cricket’s biggest stage. The selection reflects Nepal’s steady rise in international cricket, blending proven performers with emerging talent that has powered their recent progress.

At the centre of the squad is Rohit Paudel, who will continue as captain. At just 23, Rohit has grown into one of Nepal’s most composed batters, admired for his temperament and tactical awareness. His leadership during high-pressure moments has been a defining factor in Nepal’s evolution, and the team management has once again placed its trust in his calm authority.

Balanced squad, settled leadership and smart selections shape Nepal’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign

Supporting him is Dipendra Singh Airee, named vice-captain. Dipendra’s value to the side goes far beyond numbers. His ability to influence games with both bat and ball gives Nepal crucial flexibility, especially in the fast-paced demands of T20 cricket. Together, Rohit and Dipendra form a leadership pair that balances composure with impact.

Nepal’s bowling attack will once again lean heavily on Sandeep Lamichhane, whose experience and wicket-taking ability remain vital against top-quality opposition. Around him, a strong supporting cast of seamers and spin options ensures Nepal have the tools to adapt to different conditions across India and Sri Lanka.

The squad features two changes from the Qualifiers group. Sher Malla and Basir Ahamad have been included, replacing Kushal Malla and Aadil Alam. These adjustments point to a desire for better balance and depth, particularly in the middle order and bowling combinations.

Overall, Nepal’s selection underlines stability rather than experimentation. With a settled leadership group and a well-rounded mix of skills, Nepal will be eager to make a strong impression and continue their upward trajectory on the global stage.

Nepal squad: Rohit Paudel (c), Dipendra Singh Airee, Sandeep Lamichhane, Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Sundeep Jora, Aarif Sheikh, Basir Ahamad, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Gulshan Jha, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sher Malla, Lokesh Bam

A special ceremony held in Kathmandu on Monday revealed the official jersey of the Nepalese national cricket team for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which is considered a proud moment for the flyover country’s cricket.

The jersey was launched by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) in partnership with T10 Sports the official kit manufacturer. The new strip was worn by both the men’s and women’s national teams during the event, signifying the unity of all formats and genders. The men’s team will play in the kit at the T20 World Cup next month, while the women’s team will also wear the same jersey at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier, which will be held in Nepal.

The occasion was made even more spectacular by the presence of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup trophy, which had just arrived in Kathmandu as part of its worldwide tour. Earlier in the day, the trophy was presented at Sheetal Niwas by Nepal’s President Ram Chandra Paudel, who regarded the occasion as a sign of Nepal’s increasing influence in international cricket. He also pointed out that cricket was a factor in the nation’s unity and the youth’s encouragement.

🇳🇵The #Rhino’s World Cup jersey is here! #Rhinos are ready, Are you ready to wear your passion ? ⏳#NepalCricket pic.twitter.com/Khrr4oHEdL

— CAN (@CricketNep) January 5, 2026

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Nepal set for third T20 World Cup appearance as Trophy Tour reaches Kathmandu

Starting last year, the Trophy Tour that began with Adam's Bridge has gone through several Asian countries, granting fans a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the famous silverware from a close distance. In Nepal, the trophy was presented to the two national teams during the ceremony that honored the players.

Chatur Bahadur Chand, the president of CAN, declared that Nepal would participate in the T20 World Cup for the third time, saying it was a great honor. Nepal is in Group C with England, West Indies, Bangladesh, and Italy, and all their group matches are set to take place in Mumbai.

The tournament will take place from February 7 to March 8 with 20 teams sharing eight venues between India and Sri Lanka, and Nepal will take another confident step on the global stage.

Milestone moment for Nepal cricket. They defeated Pakistan in a cricket match, that too in a World Cup event. Nepal and Pakistan faced each other in a crucial encounter of the Women's Blind T20 World Cup 2025, and they won the game by 10 wickets. As soon as the batter hit the winning stroke, cricketers of the Nepal cricket team rushed into the ground with their nation's flag. 

Batting first, Pakistan registered 170 runs for the loss of seven wickets in Bengaluru. Nepal achieved the target without losing any wickets in the ongoing first Women's T20 World Cup for visually impaired women. In the process, the Women's Blind team captain of Nepal, Binita Pun, played a match century by scoring 107 runs in 54 balls. During the creation of the innings, she smashed 14 boundaries. From the other end, it was Mankeshi Chaudhary, who supported the skipper throughout the second innings by scoring 43 runs. 

Binita Pun, who is a B-3 category batter, got the unbeaten 107 runs against only 54 deliveries. And Mankeshi Chaudhary, a B-2 category batter, got 43 not out off 31. Surprisingly, Pakistani bowlers were not able to pull down any wicket of the Nepal cricket team. 

Read More: Sad Whatsapp status reel videos on team India's 2023 ODI World Cup Final loss against Australia

Historic win for Nepal over Pakistan in Women's Blind World Cup 2025

🚨 Nepal beat Pakistan by 10 wickets in the semifinal of Women’s Blind T20 World Cup 2025! 🤯

Nepal knocks out Pakistan and qualifies for the final! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2PBEKL5thW

— ICC Asia Cricket (@ICCAsiaCricket) November 19, 2025

With the victory against Pakistan, the Nepal cricket team has already secured a place in the semi-finals of the inaugural edition of the Women's Blind T20 World Cup 2025. They are currently only behind India. Team India is ahead of Nepal by only 2 points in the tally. 

According to the rules of the tournament, the top four teams from the group stage will advance to the knockout stage. India and Nepal are into the next stage. Pakistan also can qualify for the semi-final stage. There are a total of 6 teams in the tournament: India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Australia, and the USA. Each team will have to play a total of 5 matches in the group stage. India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka have already played 5 matches each. The other three teams will have to play 2 more matches each to complete the 5-match limit.