Mumbai: A poor batting display handed Nepal a 10-wicket defeat to Italy in their second Group ‘C’ match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.

Sent in to bat after losing the toss, Nepal were bowled out for 123 in 19.3 overs. Italy chased down the target in just 12.4 overs, thanks to an unbeaten opening stand between Anthony Mosca and Justin Mosca to register their first-ever win during their debut T20 World Cup.

Anthony smashed 62 off 32 balls, hitting three fours and six sixes, while Justin struck 60 off 44 deliveries with five boundaries and three sixes, as Italy finished on 124 without loss.

The defeat extended Nepal’s winless run in T20 World Cups to six matches, with their last victory coming against Afghanistan in 2014.

Aarif Sheikh top-scored for Nepal with 27 off 24 balls. Captain Rohit Paudel made a brisk 23 off 14, while Aasif Sheikh (20), Dipendra Singh Airee (17) and Karan KC (18 not out) were the other contributors in double figures. 

Earlier, Kushal Bhurtel fell for 5 as Nepal managed 45-1 in the powerplay. Rohit and Aasif departed in quick succession to leave the side at 49-3 in 8.3 overs. Though Dipendra and Aarif tried to stabilise innings with a 44-run partnership for the fourth wicket,  the former’s dismissal triggered dramatic collapse of innings as Nepal lost their final six wickets for 30 runs after reaching 93-4 in 13.5 overs. 

Nepal’s captain Rohit  attributed that his side failed to perform with bat. “I think Italy outplayed us today in batting and they played really well. We were looking around 160-170 and we batted very poorly. There’s no shame to accept that,” Rohit said after the match. “I think we did not respect the condition and 123 was not the score we wanted to make.  It was tough in the beginning and we played a few rash shots and I think my wicket was the turning point.”

For Italy, Crishan Kalugamage starred with the ball claiming 3-18 from four overs and was named player-of-the-match. Ben Manenti claimed 2-9, while Ali Hasan, JJ Smuts and Jaspreet Singh took a wicket each.

Both teams had entered the fixture after losing their opening matches, but Italy opened their account in the standings, while Nepal remained without a point. West Indies lead the group with four points, followed by Scotland, England and Italy with two points each from equal two games. 

The loss dented Nepal’s hopes of reaching the Super Eight stage, with only the top two teams advancing. Nepal next face West Indies on Sunday and Scotland on Tuesday.