02/19/26 04:05:00
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02/19 04:03 CST West Indies complete T20 World Cup group stage undefeated after
beating Italy
West Indies complete T20 World Cup group stage undefeated after beating Italy
KOLKATA, India (AP) --- West Indies completed the T20 World Cup group stage
undefeated after dismissing Italy for 123 and winning by 42 runs on Thursday.
Italy finished its maiden World Cup appearance with plaudits after stunning
Nepal and losing to England narrowly, Scotland and the West Indies.
Both teams struggled on what appeared to be a good batting pitch at Eden
Gardens.
West Indies captain Shai Hope starred with 75 off 46 balls, his second straight
World Cup half-century, and the next best score was Ben Manenti's 26 for Italy.
West Indies defended a sub-par 165. Italy lost three wickets in the powerplay
thanks to medium-pacer Matthew Forde, and pacer Shamar Joseph limited Italy in
the middle and death overs with 4-30. Joseph also took four catches.
Hope kept the West Indies from floundering, opening the batting and hitting
four sixes and six boundaries until he was bowled by Crishan Kalugamage in the
16th over.
In the Super Eights, the West Indies will face 2024 champion India, 2024
runner-up South Africa, and Zimbabwe, which knocked out Australia.
"We'll have to find ways to be more forceful when the crunch time comes," Hope
said. "We have batting depth but we need to be smart. Need to be clinical with
strokeplay. Need to capitalize on deliveries. (We're) in good shape going into
the Super Eights."
Italy captain Harry Manenti said he was proud of their ability to stay in the
fight, notably against full members England and the West Indies.
"We haven't played the perfect game despite showing promise in moments,"
Manenti said. "It's important for all associate nations to be funded and well
looked after, which is tough. If we keep getting support from the ICC, if we
get more cricket, we'll get more competitive. Lack of games have hurt us (but)
the more we play the higher are the chances to close out games like this."
Later Thursday
Sri Lanka chose to bat first against Zimbabwe in the day's second match in
Colombo.
Afghanistan, which made the semifinals in 2024 and lost a thrilling double
super over against South Africa this week, will meet Canada in its last Group D
match.
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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
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