West Indies Innings – Hope Anchors, Finishers Accelerate
Batting first, West Indies posted 165/6 in 20 overs, building their innings around stability and calculated aggression.
After a cautious start in the powerplay, Shai Hope took control of the innings with a well-paced 75 off 46 balls. He rotated strike effectively through the middle overs before accelerating against the spinners.
Support came from the middle order, where late boundaries helped West Indies cross the 160-run mark — a competitive total on a surface that offered assistance to bowlers.
Italy Chase – Early Promise, Middle-Order Collapse
Chasing 166, Italy began positively but struggled to maintain momentum once wickets began to fall.
The breakthrough came in the middle overs when Shamar Joseph dismantled the Italian middle order with a fiery spell, finishing with four crucial wickets.
Matthew Forde provided strong support, striking at key moments to prevent any rebuilding partnerships.
Despite a few resistance efforts from Italy’s batters, regular breakthroughs halted the chase. Italy were bowled out for 123 in 18 overs, falling short by 42 runs.
Key Turning Point
The decisive phase of the match came during the middle overs of Italy’s chase when Shamar Joseph removed two set batters in quick succession. That spell shifted the pressure entirely onto Italy and effectively sealed the contest.
Match Summary
West Indies: 165/6 (20 overs)
Italy: 123 all out (18 overs)
Result: West Indies won by 42 runs
Match Impact
The victory strengthened West Indies’ position in Group C and showcased their balanced squad — anchored batting at the top and aggressive wicket-taking options with the ball. Their ability to defend a moderate total highlights strong tactical discipline heading into the next stage.
Conclusion
A composed innings from Shai Hope combined with Shamar Joseph’s match-defining spell ensured a comfortable win for West Indies.