Italy Spinners Limit West Indies to 165/6 in Kolkata T20 World Cup Match on February 19, 2026

Italy's spinners took key wickets, limiting the West Indies to 165/6. This is a lower score than many expected for the West Indies.
By Newsroom | Cricket, International Sports |

The T20 World Cup match between the West Indies and Italy saw Italy's bowling unit, particularly its spinners, effectively contain the West Indies to a total of 165 runs for 6 wickets. Despite a strong performance from Shai Hope, who scored 75 runs, the Italian bowlers managed to disrupt the West Indies' scoring rate, especially in the latter stages of their innings. The outcome sets a challenging but attainable target for Italy in their chase.

T20 World Cup: Italy’s spin choke limits WI to 165/6 despite Hope’s 75 - 1

West Indies Batting Performance

The West Indies opted to bat first, setting a target of 165 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs.

T20 World Cup: Italy’s spin choke limits WI to 165/6 despite Hope’s 75 - 2

  • Shai Hope was the standout performer for the West Indies, anchoring the innings with a well-played 75 runs. His contribution was crucial in building a respectable total.

  • Other batsmen struggled to establish significant partnerships or accelerate the scoring.

  • Italy's spin bowlers, including Crishan Kalugamage and Ben Manenti, were particularly economical and effective in picking up wickets and restricting the run flow. Kalugamage, known for his pizza-making profession, and Manenti were noted for their performances against Nepal in a previous match, taking a combined six wickets for 49 runs in 12 overs.

  • Leg-spinner Crishan Kalugamage previously took three wickets for 18 runs in four overs against Nepal. Ben Manenti also contributed with two wickets for 9 runs in four overs. JJ Smuts added one wicket for 22 runs in four overs in that match.

  • In this match, Akeal Hosein removed Anthony Mosca for 19 runs from 12 balls, with Mosca caught by Shamar Joseph. This wicket occurred at 26 runs for 2 wickets in 2.6 overs.

  • Jason Holder bowled, and Matthew Forde also bowled, taking 1 wicket for 13 runs.

  • Hetmyer was dismissed for 1 run off 4 balls, caught by Smuts off the bowling of Draca. This happened at 31 runs for 1 wicket in 4.1 overs according to one source, though the context of this dismissal is unclear given the earlier dismissal of Mosca.

Italy's Bowling Strategy

Italy's bowling strategy appeared to focus on spin to control the middle overs, a tactic that proved successful against the West Indies' batting lineup.

T20 World Cup: Italy’s spin choke limits WI to 165/6 despite Hope’s 75 - 3

  • The team has a history of relying on their spin attack, as demonstrated in their victory against Nepal, where their combined spin efforts were highly effective.

  • The Mosca brothers, Justin and Anthony, have shown significant batting prowess, notably in their unbeaten 124-run partnership that secured a 10-wicket victory against Nepal.

Match Dynamics and Context

The match took place in Kolkata on February 19, 2026, as part of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, Group C.

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T20 World Cup: Italy’s spin choke limits WI to 165/6 despite Hope’s 75 - 4

  • Italy, ranked as the 27th and lowest-ranked team in the tournament, has shown resilience and potential for upsets, having previously given England a close contest.

  • The team's roster includes players with unconventional backgrounds, such as a pizza-maker and carpentry and physical education teachers, highlighting their underdog status.

  • Italy's performance against Nepal, a 10-wicket win, and their close match against England, showcase their growing confidence and competitive spirit.

  • The West Indies, aiming for a perfect record in the group stage before advancing to the Super Eights, faced a determined Italian side.

Expert Analysis

While specific expert commentary on this particular match's bowling performance is not detailed in the provided snippets, the consistent mention of Italy's spin effectiveness against Nepal and their general approach to the game suggests a strategic reliance on these bowlers. The ability of spinners like Kalugamage and Manenti to take wickets and contain runs has been a recurring theme for Italy in the tournament.

Conclusion and Implications

The West Indies' score of 165 for 6 indicates a competent but not overwhelming batting performance, largely due to Italy's disciplined bowling. Italy's spin attack was a key factor in limiting the West Indies' total. The target of 166 runs presents a significant opportunity for Italy to achieve a notable upset, especially given their previous strong showings against Nepal and their ability to challenge stronger teams like England. The success of Italy's chase will depend on their batsmen, particularly the Mosca brothers, replicating their form from previous matches.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many runs did the West Indies score against Italy in the T20 World Cup match in Kolkata on February 19, 2026?
The West Indies scored 165 runs for 6 wickets in their 20 overs. Shai Hope was their top scorer with 75 runs.
Q: Why did Italy's bowlers limit the West Indies to 165 runs?
Italy's spin bowlers, like Crishan Kalugamage and Ben Manenti, bowled very well. They took important wickets and stopped the West Indies from scoring quickly, especially towards the end of the game.
Q: What is the target for Italy to win the T20 World Cup match against the West Indies on February 19, 2026?
Italy needs to score 166 runs to win the match. This is a challenging but possible target for them.
Q: Who performed well for the West Indies in the batting against Italy on February 19, 2026?
Shai Hope was the best batsman for the West Indies, scoring 75 runs. He helped his team reach a total of 165 runs.
Q: What is Italy's ranking in the T20 World Cup 2026, and how did they perform before this match?
Italy is the 27th and lowest-ranked team in the tournament. They previously beat Nepal by 10 wickets and had a close game against England, showing they can compete well.