Mumbai: Nepal have set a 124-run target for Italy in their second Group ‘C’ match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday.

After losing the toss and being sent in to bat, Nepal struggled to build momentum and were bowled out for 123 with three balls remaining.

Both the sides came into the match having lost their opening games of the campaign – Nepal losing to England by four runs and Italy going down to Scotland by 73 runs. 

Nepal’s Middle-order batter Aarif Sheikh top-scored with 27 off 24 deliveries, hitting three boundaries before being caught by Marcus Campopiano off JJ Smuts.

Earlier, opener Kushal Bhurtel departed cheaply for 5 off 10 balls, caught by Justin Mosca off Ali Hasan’s delivery on the final ball of the second over. Nepal managed 45-1 in the six-over powerplay.

Captain Rohit Paudel was the next to fall after a brisk 23 off 14 balls, which included two boundaries. He was caught by Grant Stewart off Crishan Kalugamage. Aasif Sheikh was dismissed two balls later for a run-a-ball 20, stumped by wicketkeeper Gian-Piero Meade off skipper Harry Manenti, with Nepal at 49-3 in 8.3 overs.

Dipendra Singh Airee attempted to stabilise the innings but was caught for 17 off 18 balls, leaving Nepal at 93-4 in 13.5 overs. The lower order then faltered, with Nepal losing their final six wickets for just 30 runs.

Karan KC remained unbeaten on 18 off 11 balls, including a boundary and a six. Lokesh Bam (3), Gulshan Jha (3), Nandan Yadav (0), Sandeep Lamichhane (5) and Lalit Rajbanshi (0) all fell cheaply as Nepal were bundled out for 123.

Crishan Kalugamage impressed with the ball for Italy claiming 3-18 in his four-over bowling. Ben Manentil clinched two wickets in his four over spell giving away nine runs. Ali Hasan, JJ Smuts and Jaspreet Singh pocketed a wicket each.