T20 World Cup: West Indies roll on as Shamar Joseph's four-for sinks Italy
By
SABC Sport
19th February 2026
The West Indies kept their undefeated record alive at the 2026 T20 World Cup with a comprehensive win over minnows Italy at Eden Gardens on Thursday.
The islanders were perhaps underwhelming with the bat in their 165/6 total, but their skilful bowling attack, who have been on fire at the tournament, bowled out the Italians for 123.
In the chase, Anthony Mosca threatened to go big early. He blasted mystery spinner Akeal Hosein for two sixes before getting caught at short fine leg in the third over. One metre in any other direction and it would have been another boundary for Mosca.
Matthew Forde got two more wickets before the power play finished. First, he ripped through Jason Mosca, then Syed Naqvi skyed one for Shamar Joseph to gobble up, leaving Italy 37/3.
The Italian batters got starts, but were unable to build. South African-born JJ Smuts was laboured in his 24 from 27 balls, while Ben Manenti top-scored with just 26. Menenti and the powerful Grant Stewart were the last hope for Italy as they needed 62 off the last five, but the innings faded after their dismissals.
Shamar Jospeh would be the pick of the bowlers, boasting figures of 4/30 to go with four catches.
Earlier, regular wickets kept pegging back the potent West Indies' batting attack. Italian seamer Ali Hasan struck with his first ball of the match, nicking off Brandon King cheaply.
Australian-born Thomas Draca then struck in the fifth over. Shimron Hetmyer, mis-timed drive saw him get caught and the West Indies were 31/2.
Captain Shai Hope and Roston Chase steadied the ship. The duo put together a partnership of 64 off 50 before a poor shot from the usually measured Chase (24) saw him depart.
Italy bowled well at the death. Ben Manenti dismissed Rovman Powell (9), then spinner Crishan Kalugamage got the key wickets of the brilliant Hope (75 from 46) and Jason Holder as the West Indies were looking to accelerate. The in-form Sherfane Rutherford and Forde combined for 28 off the last 14 balls of the match to get them to a respectable total.
