Hope guides West Indies to their fourth successive win
West Indies finish the group stage journey at the top with eight points while England follow them with six points
By Alam Zeb Safi
KOLKATA: Captain Shai Hope struck a commanding 75 and marshalled his bowlers expertly as West Indies sealed a comprehensive 42-run victory over Italy in their Group C clash at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Thursday.
On a relatively warm afternoon at Eden Gardens, Hope’s fluent knock anchored West Indies to 165/6 after they were asked to bat first. The Caribbean side then dismantled Italy for 123 in 18 overs, with Shamar Joseph claiming four wickets to complete a clinical display.
West Indies made a shaky start, losing Brandon King in the second over and Shimron Hetmyer soon after to slip to 31/2. Hope, however, counter-attacked with crisp stroke-play, reaching his half-century off just 28 balls. He combined timing with calculated aggression, striking six fours and four sixes to dominate the powerplay and steady the innings.
Roston Chase contributed 24 in a 64-run third-wicket stand that rebuilt the platform but Italy clawed back through Ben Manenti and Crishan Kalugamage, who shared four wickets between them to stall momentum in the middle overs.
Hope fell for 75 in the 16th over but late cameos from Sherfane Rutherford (24 not out) and Matthew Forde (16 not out off 8 balls) lifted West Indies beyond 160, with 50 runs coming in the final five overs.
Italy’s chase faltered early. Matthew Forde removed Justin Mosca and Syed Naqvi while Akeal Hosein accounted for Anthony Mosca as Italy stumbled to 37/3 inside six overs.
JJ Smuts attempted to stabilise the innings with a patient 24 and Ben Manenti added a brisk 26 but regular wickets prevented any sustained partnership. Gudakesh Motie’s double strike in the middle overs tightened the squeeze before Joseph’s pace finished the job.
Joseph struck four times, including the final two wickets in the 18th over, to end with 4/30 as Italy were bowled out well short of the target.
Summarised Scores
West Indies: 165/6 (20 overs), Shai Hope 75 (46), Roston Chase 24 (25), Sherfane Rutherford 24* (15), Matthew Forde 16* (8), Ben Manenti 2/37, Crishan Kalugamage 2/25
Italy: 123 all out (18 overs), Ben Manenti 26 (21), JJ Smuts 24 (27), Anthony Mosca 19 (12), Shamar Joseph 4/30, Matthew Forde 3/19, Gudakesh Motie 2/24
Result: West Indies won by 42 runs
Player of the Match, Shai Hope
