Kolkata, Feb 20: Shai Hope’s second successive half-century and a clinical bowling display helped West Indies register a comfortable 42-run win over Italy in their final Group C match of the T20 World Cup here on Thursday.Asked to bat, West Indies posted 165/6, riding on skipper Hope’s fluent 75 off 46 balls, studded with six fours and four sixes.
Despite early setbacks — with Shimron Hetmyer (1) and Brandon King (4) falling cheaply — Hope anchored the innings with authority.
However, spinners Ben Manenti (2/37) and Crishan Kalugamage (2/25) slowed things down in the latter stages to keep the total within reach.Chasing 166 on a good Eden surface, Italy were bowled out for 123 in 18 overs. Matthew Forde (3/19) set the tone with the new ball, removing Justin Mosca and Syed Naqvi early. Shamar Joseph (4/30) effectively sealed the contest with timely strikes, including the key wicket of Grant Stewart, while Gudakesh Motie (2/24) applied the squeeze in the middle overs.
Italy briefly threatened through JJ Smuts (24) and Ben (26), but regular wickets derailed their chase.
The successive dismissals of Stewart and Manenti ended any hopes of a comeback.Italy finished with one win from four matches, while unbeaten West Indies topped the group and carried strong momentum into the Super Eights.With three convincing wins in the league stage, West Indies now move into the Super Eights not merely as qualifiers, but as a side rediscovering its rhythm at the right time. There is balance in their attack, clarity in their roles, and, most importantly, a captain in Shai Hope who seems prepared to lead from the front when it matters. The bowlers have begun to operate as a unit rather than individuals, striking early, squeezing in the middle overs and finishing with authority. If there were minor concerns around the middle-order tempo, those are issues that can be ironed out in the days ahead. What will please the team management most is the growing sense of control — with bat and ball — in pressure situations.