T20 World Cup: Italy’s spin choke limits WI to 165/6 despite Hope’s 75

Skipper Shai Hope struck a fluent 75 however first-timers Italy pulled issues again fantastically with a disciplined bowling effort to limit two-time champions West Indies to 165 for six of their last group league fixture of the T20 World Cup in Kolkata on Thursday (February 19, 2026.

On a batting-friendly floor the place England’s 200-plus whole was almost chased down within the earlier sport, the goal of 166 appeared underwhelming on the innings break as Italy’s spinners led by Ben Manenti (2/37) and Crishan Kalugamage (2/25) choked the run circulate within the again finish.

It could have been worse for the Windies had Grant Stewart not leaked 19 runs within the penultimate over, with Sherfane Rutherford (24 not out from 15 balls) and Matthew Forde (16 not out; 8b) propping up the full.

Hope batted effortlessly, citing a 28-ball fifty whereas hanging 4 sixes and 6 fours in a 46-ball knock, however Roston Chase’s sluggish 24 off 25 balls (2×4) harm the momentum.

It dragged the Windies innings down, and at the same time as Hope acquired boundaries at will, Chase appeared tentative, and struggled to rotate the strike earlier than holing out to deep ahead sq..

The stress mounted with two fast wickets — Chase and Rovman Powell (9) — as skilled off-spinner Manenti and Sri Lanka-origin leg-spinner Crishan Kalugamage turned the tide in Italy’s favour.

Manenti struck in successive overs, together with taking the important thing wicket of Powell, whereas Kalugamage delivered the decisive blow by cleansing up Hope with a supply that was sliding in, even because the batter left his stumps uncovered.

The leg-spinner additionally eliminated Jason Holder (9) to tighten Italy’s grip.

JJ Smuts was tidy with the brand new ball, conceding simply 27 runs in his 4 overs with out success, as Italy’s disciplined assault denied West Indies their customary late surge.

Regardless of Hope’s brilliance and a 64-run stand with Chase, West Indies faltered within the last 10 overs.

Opting to bowl, Italy struck with left-arm seamer Ali Hasan eradicating Brandon King (4) along with his first ball.

However Hope, contemporary from an unbeaten 61 towards Nepal, counterattacked in fashion drilling a large half-volley from quick bowler Thomas Draca by means of extra-cover.

Hasan then erred in line as Hope crashed two extra fours by means of the off aspect earlier than pulling him for a six over sq. leg in a 14-run over.

Nevertheless, Draca hit again to take away the in-form Shimron Hetmyer (1).

The pacer drew an out of doors edge as Hetmyer sliced a catch to brief third — his first single-digit rating of the event — after knocks of 64, 23 and 46 not out.