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T20 WC Updates: Gurbaz, Zadran on the attack

Thu, 19 February 2026

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19:21

Gurbaz, Zadran on the attack

Afghanistan 37-0 (4 ovs) vs Canada | Scorecard

Kaleem Sana with his second over and Ibrahim Zadran flicks a full delivery on leg to deep square and gets off the strike.

A wide down the leg and a dot follow.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz then flicks one to short third and gets a couple.

Four! Width on offer and Gurbaz pounces on it and cuts it firmly through wide of deep backward point for a boundary.

Two dots to end the 8-run over.

Dilon Heyliger continues and Zadran greets him with back-to-back boundaries; first one through third man and the next through extra cover.

Follows it up with a single through mid-on.

Four! Short and outside off and Gurbaz slaps it through the gap in cover and the ball races away to the boundary.

A quick single through short third man gets Zadran back on strike.

A single through third man to finish the over. 15 runs came off it.

19:11

Afghanistan off to a cautious start

Afghanistan 14-0 (2 ovs) vs Canada | Scorecard

Afghanistan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran are out in the middle.

Gurbaz is on strike. Kaleem Sana will open the attack for Canada and he starts off with a good length delivery which Gurbaz tucks into the gap at mid-wicket and opens his account with a couple.

A single through short third brings Zadran on strike. Two dots later Zadran tries to flick a length delivery on leg but misses. The ball rolls down into the off-side after hitting his pads. A single (leg byes) taken.

A single through square on the leg-side to end the over. Five runs came off it.

Dilon Heyliger to bowl from the other end he starts off with a wide outside off.

A dot later, Gurbaz makes room and slashes a length delivery outside off through the fine leg for a boundary.

Dropped! Gurbaz goes for a big hit but top-edges it to behind the stumps but the 'keeper fails to grab it. Two runs taken.

A dot later, Gurbaz cuts one through deep backward point and picks up a single.

Zadran then opens his account with a single through mid-wicket.

9 runs came off the over.

18:55

Final game for Dhaliwal, Ravinderpal in Canada colours

Canada have won the toss and they will bowl against Afghanistan in their last league game of the T20 World Cup at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Canada skipper Dilpreet Bajwa said at the toss that Navneet Dhaliwal and Ravinderpal Singh will retire from Cricket Canada after this game.

"We will bowl first. The wicket didn't change much in the last game and also because of the dew factor. We have to fight stronger with the ball and not concede too many loose balls. Navneet Dhaliwal and Ravinderpal Singh, they are retiring from Cricket Canada. Final game for them. It's very sad moment for cricket Canada. Both of them are legends. One is our run machine and one is our energy machine, so we are gonna miss them and hopefully it is a good opportunity for upcoming youngsters in Canada," he said.

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan said: "Not the kind of end we wanted in this competition and I feel we have that skills, but just that game against South Africa put us down. We need to make the nation proud and want to finish off well."

Let's have a look at the Playing XIs:

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Wicketkeeper), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (Captain), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi, Abdullah Ahmadzai.

Canada: Yuvraj Samra, Dilpreet Bajwa (Captain), Navneet Dhaliwal, Harsh Thaker, Nicholas Kirton, Shreyas Movva (Wicketkeeper), Saad Bin Zafar, Dilon Heyliger, Jaskaran Singh, Kaleem Sana, Ansh Patel.

18:55

Zimbabwe hammer Sri Lanka by six wickets

Zim 182-4 (19.3 ovs) vs SL 178-7 | Scorecard

Zimbabwe notched up a stunning six-wicket win over Sri Lanka in their final Group B T20 World Cup match in Colombo on Thursday.

Opting to bat, Pathum Nissanka carted eight fours en route to a 41-ball 62 and Pavan Rathnayake blasted a 25-ball 44 in the back end as SL posted 178 for 7.

In reply, Brian Bennett (63) hit a fifty and skipper Sikandar Raza (45) produced the needed acceleration as Zimbabwe chased down the total, scoring 182-4 in 19.3 overs to top the group.

Earlier, Graeme Cremer (2/27), Blessing Muzarabani (2/38) and Brad Evans (2/35) claimed two wickets each for Zimbabwe.

Both the teams have qualified for the Super 8s.

Theekshana is back in the attack and he fires the ball in, Munyonga rocks back and pulls it over mid-wicket for a six.

2 needed now. Munyonga then takes a single to deep backward point for a single. Scores level now. Bennett drives the ball to cover to bring up the winning runs with a boundary and Zimbabwe win by 6 wickets.

Tony Munyonga is the new man in.

And after a wide, he takes a single to cover to get off the mark as a wicket and 5 runs come off it.

Tashinga Musekiwa is the new man in and is off the mark with a single over extra cover

Bennettt then takes a single to long off.

Musekiwa then tries to loft it down the ground, Shanaka runs back to his left from mid on and nearly collides with his teammate but manages to keep his eye on the ball and hold on to the ball and Zimbabwe lose their 4th wicket.

Dushan Hemantha is back in the attack and Bennett takes a single to mid-wicket.

Raza then thumps the ball straight to Shanaka at extra cover. He is out for 45 off 26.

18:18

Fifty for Bennett

Zim 166-2 (18 ovs) vs SL 178-7 | Scorecard

19 needed off 18 now.

Wellalage is back in the attack and Raza and Bennett take 6 singles in the over.

Dilshan Madushanka is back in the attack and the slower short ball is smashed as he pulls it over square leg for a six!

Raza then takes a single.

A wide yorker next and wide signalled.

Bennett then cuts the ball to deep point for a single to bring up his 50 off 41 balls.

Raza goes for the swing and misses as the ball goes to the keeper.

A dot later, Raza gets a single.

Bennett ends the over with a four as he guides the ball to third man past the short third man fielder and 14 come off it.

18:10

Takes Hemantha to the cleaners

Zim 146-2 (16 ovs) vs SL 178-7 | Scorecard

Theekshana is back in the attack and Bennett starts the over with a single.

Two dots later, tossed up and in the slot and Raza plays a lofted drive over long on for six!

Wide and on the off stump next and he sliced it through cover point for another four.

He ends the over with a single as 12 come off it.

Hemantha back in the attack and Raza starts the over with a single.

Bennett then takes a couple to long off before taking a single.

Raza picks the wrong un, it's a short ball and pulls the ball over mid-wicket for a six!

Raza follows it up wtih another maximum as he picks up the slot ball and hammers it down the ground for a six!

Raz ends the over with a boundary as 20 come off it.

18:03

The match is evenly poised

Zim 114-2 (14 ovs) vs SL 178-7 | Scorecard

Shanaka continues and Bennett and Raza take a single each off the first two balls.

Short ball next and Raza hammers it over the keeper's head for a four!

Bennett then takes a couple and a single next before Shanaka bowls a wide.

A single to end the over as 11 come off it.

Wellalage continues and he gives just two in the over.

Raza is the new man in and he is off the mark with a single.

He ends the over with a single as 9 runs come off it.

Shanaka is back in the attack and Burl and Bennett take a single each.

Burl gets a boundary as a thick edge that bounces short of backward point and runs fior a four!

Shanaka the bowls a slower short ball, Burl mistimes the pull and is caught out for 23 off 12.

Wellalage continues and Bennett starts the over with a single..

Burl then punches the next ball through cover for a four!

Tossed up ball next and Burl sends it flying over lon on for a six!

A dot later, Burl gets a couple and a single to end the over as 14 come off it.

17:47

Zimbabwe in the chase

Zim 78-1 (10 ovs) vs SL 178-7 | Scorecard

Hemantha continues and the batters rotate the strike for 5 singles in the over.

Ryan Burl is the new man in and he is off the mark with a couple.

A single each to end the over as 5 come off it.

Welllalage in the attack now and Bennett starts the over with a single.

A dot later, Murabani top edges the slog sweep and he is caught and bowled as Wellalage stays under the ball and keeps his eyes on it. He is out for 34 off 26.

Leggie Dushan Hemantha is in the attack now and the short ball is punished and pulled by Marumani for a four. The batters get just two singles in the over as 6 come off it.

Medium pacer Dasun Shanaka is in the attack now and concedes a boundary in the over as 7 come off it.

17:25

Batters take to Theekshana

Zim 55-0 (6 ovs) vs SL 178-7 | Scorecard

Theekshana continues and after a dot, Murabani smacks the ball over deep mid-wicket for a six!

A single later, Bennett brings up Zimbabwe's 50 with a four as he sweeps the ball to fine leg.

Back-to-back boundaries for Brian Bennett as he hits the ball over covers.

A dot to end the over with a dot as 15 come off it.

Madushan is back in the attack and Bennett starts the over with a dot before lofting the overpitched ball past mid-off for four, ill-timed shot but the result was there.

Full toss next, Bennett makes room and cuts it past backward point for a four!

Delivery on middle and leg next and Bennett whips it to deep square leg for a couple.

Bennett then swings and misses next.

Wide ball next.

A dot to end the over as 11 come off it.

17:13

Theekshana taken for two boundaries

Zim 29-0 (4 ovs) vs SL 178-7 | Scorecard

Offie Theekshana in the attack now and Bennett starts the over with a single.

Around the wicket and Muramani goes on his knee and reverse sweeps the ball through to third man for a four.

Two dots later, same shot by Marumani as his beats the diving cover fielder for a four.

A big shout for LBW next and no says the umpire. Lankans decide against the review.

Madushanka continues and Bennett reverse scoops the low full toss towards short third man for a single.

Appeal for an LBW next as Marumani looks to whip the ball across the line, gets beaten and rapped on the pads. He takes a single off a leg bye.

Bennett then takes a single off a leg bye, a direct hit would have had him in trouble.

Muramani then takes a single to the off side.

A dot later, Bennett slashes at the short and wide ball, the ball flies in the air and he is put down by Perera at short third man. He gets a single as 5 runs come off it.

17:04

Zimbabwe need 179 for victory

Zim 15-0 (2 ovs) vs SL 178-7 | Scorecard

Pramod Madushan opens the attack at the other end and Bennett takes a single to short cover.

A wide later, Marumani digs out the yorker for a dot.

Short and wide next and Muramani cuts it straight to third man for a four!

Marumani then plays the ball to square leg for a quick couple.

Down the leg side and Muramani helps it on its way to backward square leg for a four!

A dot to end the over as 12 come off it.

Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani come out to chase while Madushanka opens the attack for Sri Lanka.

And he starts the over well giving just three runs in the opening over.

16:56

SL score 30 runs in the last two overs; Nissanka top scores again

SL 178-7 (20 ovs) vs Zim | Scorecard

Sri Lanka batters struggled against Zimbabwe spinners in the middle overs on a slow pitch, but reached a par 178 for seven in their Group B T20 World Cup match in Colombo on Thursday.

Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka got off to a reasonable start with openers Kusal Perera (22) and Pathum Nissanka (62) adding 54 runs in 4.5 overs.

The left-handed Perera did not look comfortable but found a couple of boundaries off pacer Blessing Muzarabani.

But he fell to the towering pacer soon. Perera could not impart placement to his pull shot off a Muzarabani bouncer, getting caught by Graeme Cremer at short fine leg.

Muzarabani was also quite impressive on the day, tucking the ball into the pitch to take the pace off to keep the batters waiting.

Theekshana is the new man in as Muzarabani comes out to bowl the final over.

And he gives width and Wellalage cuts it over backward point for a four!

Wellalage then creams the ball through to deep cover for a couple.

Wellalage then comes across the stumps and misses the lap shot. Zimbabwe review for caught behind and the not out stays as Ultra Edge shows there was no edge.

Wellalage then misses the upper cut off the slower ball.

Wellalage then crashes the full ball hard through the off side for a four!

Short ball and Wellalage pulls it over short fine leg for a four. Sri Lanka put on 178 for 7 in their 20 overs.

Hemantha is the new man in and he attempts to swing and loft the off cutter down the ground, only to hole out to long-on to be out for a golden duck.

Evans is back in the attack and Pavan starts the over with a couple past cover.

Pavan then gets a four and a six over long leg to get 12 runs off the first three balls.

Pavan then gets four over extra cover!

Off cutter next, widish ball and Pavan hits it straight to the fielder at short third man and he is out for 44 off 25.

16:30

SL lose four quick wickets

SL 148-5 (18 ovs) vs Zim | Scorecard

Dunith Wellalage is the new man in and after a dot, he gets off the mark with a single.

Slower short ball next and Pavan comes across and pulls it through mid-wicket for a four as the ball beats two fielders at the boundary.

A dot and a single to end the over as 6 runs and a wicket come off it.

Muzarabani back in the attack and he strikes first ball as Shanaka attempts to pull the short ball and the top-edge lobs right into the hands of the fielder at deep backward square leg. He is out for 6.

Raza is back in the attack and the batters rotate the strike before Pavan whacks the ball over deep mid-wicket for a six! 15 runs including a no ball come off it.

Dasun Shanaka is the new man in and he is off the mark with a couple.

He is dropped next balll by the bowler.

Shanaka and Pavan take a single each as 5 runs and a wicket come off it.

Cramer continues and Pavan starts the over with a single as the bowler fumbles and gives a single.

Kamindu is caught and bowled next ball as the tossed up slower ball is played back to the bowler and Kamindu is out cheaply for 7.

Ryan Burl continues and he bowls a wide and concedes a boundary off the last ball of the over as 11 come off it.

16:10

Nissanka, Kusal back in the hut

SL 111-3 (14 ovs) vs Zim | Scorecard

Kamindu Mendis is the new man in and he gets a wide ball first up.

A dot later, Kamindu swipes the ball to square leg to get off the mark with a couple.

Cremer is back in the attack and Pavan survives the stumped as he is beaten by the tossed up ball that drifts away.

Keeper Marumani does well to remove the stumps. Appeal for stumping. Third umpire says not out.

Pavan then pulls the ball to long on for a couple. Next ball, is tossed up and Pavan comes down the pitch and drives it down to long-off for a single.

Cremer strikes next ball as Nissanka gets a top-edge on the reverse sweep, Tony Munyonga keeps his eyes on the ball and completes a fine catch. He is out for 62 off 41.

Pavan Rathnayake is the new man in and after a dot, Pavan gets a big stride forward and then drags the slog-sweep, towards deep mid-wicket for a couple.

Next ball is a quicker one. Pavan cuts it hard into the stump and bounces to hit the keeper on the throat. He is down in pain and the physio is out to check on him. He is given the all clear.

Pavan then takes a single to long-on.

Nissanka takes a couple to end the over as 5 runs and a wicket come off it.

Leggie Ryan Burl is in the attack now and he strikes first ball.

He gets the ball to turn and dip and Kusal is beaten as the ball passed the outside edge and the keeper whips off the bails and he is out for 14 off 20.

15:55

Nissanka, Kusal find gaps with ease

SL 100-1 (12 ovs) vs Zim | Scorecard

Masakadza is back in the attack and Kusal and Nissanka picks the gaps with each as 7 runs come off the over.

100 up for Sri Lanka.

Sikandar Raza is back in the attack and Nissanka and Kusal find the gaps with ease and take 7 off the over through singles and twos.

15:48

SL keep the runs flowing

SL 86-1 (10 ovs) vs Zim | Scorecard

Cremer continues, short ball and Nissanka pulls it through to backward square leg for a four!

Nissanka then lofts the ball over the infield. The man at wide long on puts it the slide to keep it down to a couple.

Two dots later, Nissanka guides the short and wide ball through backward point for a couple to bring up his half-century.

Nissanka then steers the ball towards the short third man fielder who cannot stop the ball as it runs to the boundary as 12 runs come off it.

Masakadza is back in the attack and he comes around the wicket to Kusal who plays to the off side and a good stop denies him runs.

A dot later, Kusal cuts the ball to the off side for a single.

Nissanka then cuts the short ball to deep mid-wicket for a couple.

A dot later, Nissanka guides it towards short third man for a single. 4 come off the over.

Leggie Greame Cremer in the attack now and after a dot, Nissanka drives the ball down to long off for a single.

A dot later, Kusal drives the ball to long on for a single.

Nissanka then plays the ball to mid-on for a single.

Kusal then cuts the ball through point for a single.

Raza is back in the attack and the batters rotate the strike to take 5 runs in the over.

15:33

Sri Lanka off to a great start

SL 61-1 (6 ovs) vs Zim | Scorecard

Kusal Mendis is the new man in.

Evans continues and Nissanka starts the over with a four as he guides the ball down to third man as the ball shapes away.

Evans then loosing his footing on his goes to bowl as the soil loosens as he readies to take action. Drinks called as the groundsmen fix the problem.

Next ball, Evans nearly pulls off a blinder on his run up as the ball stops on Nissanka who chips it towards the bowler. Great effort by the bowler.

Nissanka then glances the ball to the leg side for a single.

Shout for a caught behind against Mendis next, no one's joining the keeper's excitement.

Fuller ball and Mendis drives it uppishly through covers to get off the mark with a single.

Nissanka then carves the ball over backward point for a single as 7 come off it.

Muzarabani is back in the attack. He starts with a back of length ball that is pulled past deep square leg for a four to bring up Sri Lanka's 50.

Perera and Nissanka then take three singles.

Nissanka then glances the ball to short fine for a single, leg bye signalled.

Muzarabani breaks the partnership next ball, slower ball, banged in, Perera mistimes it and hits it straight to the fielder at short fine leg and he is out for 22 off 14. 8 runs and a wicket come off the over.

Medium pacer Brad Evans in the attack now and he starts with one on the pads and Nissanka plays the short ball to fine leg for a four.

Short bouncer next, ball sits up and Nissanka pulls it down to mid-wicket for a four!

A single later, Perera plays a dot. Perera then takes a single off a leg bye.

Nissanka ends the over with a fierce cut over cover point for a four! 14 come off the over.

15:16

Nissanka puts bowlers under the pump

SL 32-0 (3 ovs) vs Zim | Scorecard

Left arm spinner Hamilton Masakadza in the attack now and Nissanka sweeps and the top edge flies to fine leg for a four!

Nissanka and Perera take a single each off the next two balls. A dot later, Nissanka gets on his knees and sweeps it through square leg for a four.

Wide down the leg side next. Nissanka then drives the ball to mid-off and scampers for a single as 12 runs come off it.

Medium pacer Blessing Muzarabani is in the attack now and Perera takes him to the cleaners, taking two boundaries off him as 11 come off it.

Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera come out to open for Sri Lanka while Sikander Raza opens the attack.

A dot later, Nissanka pulls the ball to deep midwicket for a couple.

He then takes a single before Perera gets off the mark with a four through covers.

Two singles to end the over as 9 come off the opening over.

14:46

WI rout Italy by 42 runs

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka has won the toss and opted to bat against Zimbabwe in Colombo on Thursday.

While Zimbabwe have gone with the same team, it will be interesting to see if Pathum Nissanka can fire again today.

The pitch report suggests that 170 will be par score on this track. An intriguing duel awaits.

Playing XIs:

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis(w), Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka(c), Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Pramod Madushan

Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani(w), Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza(c), Dion Myers, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Wellington Masakadza, Brad Evans, Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani

In the earlier match, Skipper Shai Hope top-scored with a 46-ball 75 before his bowlers did what was expected of them as West Indies beat Italy by 42 runs to enter the Super 8s of the T20 World Cup as group toppers in Kolkata on Thursday.

West Indies posted 165 for six in their final Group C fixture and then bundled out Italy for 123 in 18 overs. Shamar Joseph (4/30) and Matthew Forde (3/10) were the top bowlers for the Caribbean side.

Asked to bat first, West Indies were well served by Hope, who hit six boundaries and four sixes, but their other top-order batters failed to make significant contributions in the face of some disciplined bowling by Italy.

Sherfane Rutherford (24 off 15 balls) and Matthew Forde (16 off 8 balls) played useful cameos towards the end and remained not out.

Sri Lanka-born leg-spinner Crishan Kalugamage was the most impressive bowler for Italy, returning figures of 2/25 in four overs.

14:29

WI rout Italy by 42 runs

Italy 123-all out (18 ovs) vs WI 165-6 | SCORECARD

Matthew Forde is back into the attack. He continues his wicket ways as Gian Meade hits the full wide delivery straight to Shamar Joseph at point covers to be dismissed for four. This is Joseph's fourth catch of the innings.

Forde finishes with excellent figures of 3/19 from his four overs.

Shamar Joseph back into the attack with Italy inching towards defeat.

Thomas Draca does well to back away and guide the short ball from Joseph over short thirdman for a four.

However, Draca perishes next ball as he guides a high full toss into the hands of Roston Chase at point.

The umpires want to check the height of the full toss while Draca has nearly walked back to the dressing room, as he stands on the edge of the boundary.

It is ruled as a fair delivery as the dismissal stands with Draca going back for five.

Joseph ends the match as he gets the wicket of lastman Ali Hasan, who makes room and attempts a big swing but is caught behind for a duck.

Joseph finishes with 4/30 in four overs, along with taking four catches.

Italy are bowled out for 123 in 18 overs as West Indies register an emphatic 42-run victory to continue their winning run in the World Cup.

14:13

Italy 7 down; WI set for easy win

Italy 115-7 (16 ovs) vs WI 165-6 | SCORECARD

New batter Gian Meade gets a lifeline as he miscues the ball high, looking to loft spinner Motie over the leg side.

Brandon King tracking back from mid-off fails to judge the catch cleanly and takes a tumble as he lands on his lower back and bangs his head against the outfield.

He has to go off the field for some treatment after that blow on the head.

Ben Manenti comes down the track to loft the ball straight back past the bowler for a four. The next ball is halfway down as the right-hander launches it for a six over midwicket.

However, Motie strikes with the last ball, getting Ben Manenti bowled for 26.

14:07

Windies set for easy win vs Italy

Italy 104-6 (15 ovs) vs WI 165-6 | SCORECARD

Holder comes back into the attack. Ben Manenti can't get a run off the first two balls before he takes a single off the third through the off-side.

Grant Stewart punches the fourth ball in the gap through the covers for two runs.

The right-hander powerfully pulls Holder for a huge six over midwicket which lands in the second tier of the stands and keeps strike with one from the last ball.

Hosein back into the attack. He bowls a tight over, giving away just six singles in his third over, the 14th of the innings.

Shamar Joseph back into the attack after the drinks break. Ben Manenti revives Italy's hope as he hits Joseph square on the off-side for a four. He looks to slog the next ball but gets a thick inside edge for another boundary as Italy struggle past 100, in the 15th over.

Joseph dents Italy's run chase further with the wicket of Stewart, who is caught at long-off after scoring 12.

13:53

Italy 5 down; WI in control

Italy 78-5 (12 ovs) vs WI 165-6 | SCORECARD

Smuts hits Motie through the off-side as Powell at long-off stops the ball to concede two runs before he misses the sweep to collect a leg bye.

Manenti hits the fifth ball down to long-on for a single and cuts the last ball to the fielder to get four runs.

Italy struggling on 61/4 in 10 overs, needing another 105 for victory.

Shamar Joseph continues with the ball. Manenti gets a thick inside edge first ball for a single before Smuts flicks a low full toss through midwicket for a four.

Short and wide from Joseph as Smuts cuts it powerfully past point for another boundary followed by singles off the last two balls, to get 11 from the over.

Motie deals Italy another big blow with the wicket of the well-set Smuts, who sweeps it straight to Joseph in the deep to walk back after scoring 24.

Italy struggling on 78/5 in 12 overs. Motie has superb figures of 1/13 in three overs.

13:40

Italy 4 down; WI in control

Italy 57-4 (9 ovs) vs WI 165-6 | SCORECARD

Harry Manenti pulls the fourth ball, a short ball from Holder over square leg for a six.

The next ball is down the leg side as Manenti misses the glance, as the ball goes fine off his pads for four leg byes and defends the last ball into the off-side.

Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie comes into the attack to bowl the eighth over. J J Smuts and Harry Manenti easily pick singles off the spinner's first over.

Shamar Joseph replaces Holder from the other end. Smuts throws his bat at a wide delivery as he fails to middle it but clears the fielder at mid-off for two runs.

Joseph bowls a cracking delivery getting the back of length delivery to move away and beat Smuts on the outside edge. The right-hander plays and misses again as he attempts to swing the pacer over the leg side before stealing a quick single to mid-off.

Joseph strikes in his first over as he gets Harry Manenti caught behind with a superb delivery which bounces a bit more to take the edge as the batter tries to slash it square to be dismissed for eight.

13:30

Naqvi fails; Italy in trouble

West Indies' players celebrate a wicket.

Italy 37-3 (6 ovs) vs WI 165-6 | SCORECARD

Syed Naqvi is struck on the helmet as he misses the pull shot off pacer Forde. The physio comes out to do the concussion test before he is ruled fit to continue.

He looks to heave Forde but gets it off the inside half for two runs through the leg side and the same next ball for two more runs.

Naqvi swings and misses before the right-hander looks to loft the full delivery down the ground but miscues it high and is taken at mid-off for six.

Italy struggling on 37/3 in six overs as they struggled to get going in the Powerplay.

13:20

Mosca brothers depart; Italy 2 down

Italy 33-2 (5 ovs) vs WI 165-6 | SCORECARD

Forde starts his second over with a wide before Syed Naqvi swings hard but gets a single off the inside edge.

J J Smuts gets off the mark in confident fashion, pulling the pacer for a boundary through midwicket followed by three dot balls in a row.

Jason Holder comes into the attack. He makes an excellent start giving away just a single in his first over, the fifth over of the innings.

13:09

Mosca brothers depart; Italy 2 down

Italy 26-2 (3 ovs) vs WI 165-6 | SCORECARD

Hosein continues as Anthony Mosca chips the first ball straight back over the bowler for two runs. Two balls later, he slog sweeps the spinner comfortably over midwicket for a six.

The right-hander repeats the shot two balls later swinging the full delivery from Hosein over midwicket for another six.

However, Hosein gets revenge off the last ball. Mosca goes for the sweep but straight into the hands of Shamar Joseph at short fine leg inside the circle.

Anthony Mosca walks back after scoring 19 from 12 balls as Italy are reduced to 26/2 in three overs.

13:03

Italy lose early wicket

Italy 12-1 (2 ovs) vs WI 165-6 | SCORECARD

Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein opens the bowling for West Indies, while the Mosca brothers -- Justin and Anthony -- open the batting for Italy in their last match in this World Cup.

Left-hander Justin takes a single off the second ball on the leg side to get Italy off the mark.

Right-hander Anthony misses out on the sweep before he gets the edge trying to cut Hosein but is put down by wicketkeeper Shai Hope.

Anthony sweeps the last ball fine on the leg side to end the over with a four.

Pacer Matthew Forde from the other end. Justin is beaten first ball on the outside edge before Forde bowls a big wide down the leg side which is away from the wicketkeeper for five wides.

Justin steals a quick single on the leg side hitting it uppishly past the bowler and Anthony takes another run.

Forde strikes the early wicket for West Indies as he cleans up Anthony with a cracking incoming delivery which swings in sharply to strike the stumps.

12:38

Italy limit WI to 165

WI 165-6 (20 ovs) vs Italy | SCORECARD

Ali Hasan to bowl the final over. He starts with a wide down the leg side before Rutherford inside edges a full delivery for two runs courtesy of a slight fumble from the fielder at deep square leg.

Rutherford hits the next ball through the off-side for two more runs before he top edges the pull shot.

Kalumagage rushes in from fine leg but can't get to the ball. However, he does well to get his legs in line to stop the ball on the half volley.

'Inter Milan will be proud of that, Lautaro Martinez will proud of that,' exclaims Ian Bishop on commentary a reference to Kalumagage's favourite football team and player.

Forde can only dig the yorker back to the bowler before he is beaten next ball by a wide yorker.

Forde drives the last ball wide of long-off for a couple of runs as West Indies finish on 165/6 in their 20 overs -- their lowest total in this World Cup batting first.

Hasan was superb with the ball, giving away just eight runs in the final over, including two dot balls without a single boundary.

Spinners Ben Manenti and Crishan Kalumagage excelled with the ball, picking two wickets each while also drying up the boundaries in the middle overs.

12:30

Rutherford, Forde take WI past 150

WI 157-6 (19 ovs) vs Italy | SCORECARD

Pacer Grant Stewart to bowl the 19th over. Matthew Forde despatches a full toss straight down the ground for a four before he hits the next ball straight again but a diving stop from Harry Manenti at long-off keeps the batters down to just a single.

Stewarts bowls a wide before Rutherford easily carves a full toss over point for a four followed by a single.

A good yorker from Stewart as Forde inside edges it with the ball going through his legs for a four.

He walks across a long way next ball to scoop the pacer over the wicketkeeper for another boundary, to get 19 from the 19th over.

12:27

Hope out for 75; WI 6 down

WI 138-6 (18 ovs) vs Italy | SCORECARD

Sherfane Rutherford finally releases the pressure as he smashes Ben Manenti powerfully straight down the ground for a six -- the first boundary after 14 balls. He then gets the next ball past point for a four to get 12 from the 17th over.

West Indies will need a few more big hits to get themselves around 175.

Kalumagage to bowl the 18th over. The tall Jason Holder heaves the spinner over midwicket for a six but falls next ball trying another lofted shot.

He looks to swing it across the line but hits it straight down to Harry Manenti at long-on to be dismissed for nine.

Nine runs from the over as Kalumagage finishes with excellent figures of 2/25 in four overs.

12:18

Hope out for 75; WI in trouble

WI 117-5 (16 ovs) vs Italy | SCORECARD

After the excellent catch in the previous over, Kalumagage deals West Indies another blow with the big wicket of the well-set Shai Hope.

Hope goes the slog sweep over midwicket but misses the ball completely and is bowled after a fine knock of 75 from 46 balls, with four sixes and as many fours.

Kalumagage, who made pizzas for a living in Italy and had to quit his job to play in the T20 World Cup, has made a big impact with the ball in this tournament.

His trademark celebration is dedicated to his favourite football player Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan, who also celebrates with his index fingers looking up.

Just two runs from the 16th over as Kalumagage continues to keep the scoring rate in check, having taken 1/16 in three overs.

12:10

Rovman Powell out for 9

WI 113-4 (15 ovs) vs Italy | SCORECARD

Spinner J J Smuts back into the attack. Three singles from first four balls before Hope sweeps the spinner over long-on for a six to take West Indies past the 100-run mark.

He keeps strike with a single from the last ball of the over.

In the next over, Powell finally gets going as he flicks Manenti powerfully over square leg for a six.

However, the spinner gets revenge off the next ball. The Azzuri are celebrating wildly as Powell (9) again attempts the pick up shot but this time fails to get the distance and is caught by Kalumagage at deep square leg.

Italy's bowlers haven't allowed West Indies' batters to run away with the game. They have kept chipping away at the wickets, to reduce West Indies to 113/4 in the 15th over.

How many can West Indies get in the last five overs?

12:00

Windies lose 3rd wicket

WI 96-3 (13 ovs) vs Italy | SCORECARD

Kalugamage keeping things in control. He concedes just two singles from the first five balls of his second over before Hope clubs the last ball straight down the ground for a 84m six, to raise the 50-run stand for the third wicket from 42 balls.

Pacer Grant Stewart back into the attack as West Indies look to attack the spinners.

A reprieve for Chase (17) after he got a thick outside edge off Stewart. Justin Mosca ran back from point and put in the dive but failed to hold on to the catch. He also sustained an injury in the process and had to go off for some treatment.

But Stewart does a good job to concede just six runs in the 12th over.

Ben Manenti makes the breakthrough with the wicket of Chase, who perished after a struggling knock of 24 from 25 balls.

The right-hander smashed the spinner back over his head for a four but perished trying to swing the next ball over midwicket, holing out to the fielder in the deep.

Rovman Powell walks in at No 5. He defends the first two balls he faces from Manenti before taking one off the last ball to get off the mark.

West Indies have managed just 20 runs from the last three overs.

11:47

Captain Shai Hope hits 28-ball fifty

WI 76-2 (10 ovs) vs Italy | SCORECARD

More spin as leggie Crishan Kalugamage comes into the attack. The West Indies have slowed down against Italy's spinners with boundaries drying up.

Kalugamage continues to build the pressure as he gives away just five singles in the ninth over.

In the next over bowled by Smuts, Chase looks to break the shackles. He comes down and has a big swing but only manages to mistime the ball down to long-off for one.

Chase manages to release the pressure as he lofts the last ball from Smuts over the covers for a four -- the first boundary after 22 balls.

West Indies are 76/2 in 10 overs, with Hope on 55 from 34 balls and Chase on 15 from 16 balls.

11:42

Hope hits 28-ball fifty

WI 63-2 (8 ovs) vs Italy | SCORECARD

Off-spinner Ben Manenti comes into the attack, to bowl the seventh over. Wide and flighted from the spinner as Hope smashes it inside out over the covers for a six to take West Indies past the 50-run mark, in the seventh over.

He takes a single on the off-side before Roston Chase also picks one.

Hope plays a nice clip off his pads in the gap through midwicket for two runs to get 10 from the over.

Spin from both ends as Smut comes back into the attack. He bowls another tight over, giving away just five runs in his second over.

Hope brings up his fifty from 28 balls in the eighth over with a single to long-off.

11:30

Hetmyer falls for 1; WI 2 down

WI 48-2 (6 ovs) vs Italy | SCORECARD

Draca rocks West Indies with the big wicket of the dangerous Hetmyer. The length ball angled across the left-hander, who goes for the drive but gets the edge and J J Smuts at wide slip comes up with a diving catch to his right.

Hetmyer walks back for one as West Indies suffer another blow in the Powerplay.

Roston Chase taps the first ball he faces on the off-side for a single. Hope continues his fiery start as he smashes the short wide delivery from Draca through point for a four.

Hope then hits the next ball through the side as he flicks the full delivery through midwicket for another boundary..

Another sweetly-timed flick of the last ball gets him three runs to midwicket as West Indies maintain a good run rate despite the two early wickets.

Pacer Grant Stewart comes into the attack to bowl the final over of Powerplay. He makes an excellent start, conceding just five singles in his first over.

West Indies are 48/2 in six overs with Hope smashing 39 from 22 balls.

11:25

Windies lose early wicket

WI 31-1 (4 ovs) vs Italy | SCORECARD

Pacer Thomas Draca into the attack from the other end. He starts with an overpitched delivery which Hope drives perfectly in the gap past the fielder in the covers for a four.

Draca gets the next ball to swing away quite a bit after pitching to beat Hope on the outside the edge.

The West Indies skipper then hammers a wide delivery from Draca uppishly over the off-side ring for another boundary.

In the next over, Hasan comes under some punishment after a fine first over.

Hope continues his aggressive start as he drills an overpitched delivery from the pacer through the covers for a four.

Three dots in a row before Hope hammers it over the off-side for another boundary before he pulls the last ball comfortably for a six, to get 14 runs from the fourth over.

11:12

Windies lose early wicket

WI 7-1 (2 ovs) vs Italy | SCORECARD

Left-arm spinner J J Smuts opens the bowling for Italy. Brandon King defends the first ball on the off-side before he hits the next through the covers for a single to get off the mark.

Captain Shai Hope gets off the mark with a single on the leg side and King clips the next off his pads for a couple.

He keeps strike with a single from the last ball as Smuts concedes five runs in the opening over.

Left-arm Ali Hasan from the other end. He strikes first ball with the wicket of King, who is dismissed caught off an inside edge for four.

The on-field umpire didn't give it out before Italy went for the DRS. There is a clear spike when the ball passes the bat as King is beaten by the incoming delivery and wicketkeeper Gian Meade took a sharp catch diving to his left.

King walks back for four as West Indies suffer an early blow.

Ian Bishop on commentary reveals that Hasan had to quit his job at a courier company to play in the World Cup. He will now have to find a new job when he gets back to Italy after the tournament.

New batter Shimron Hetmyer gets a yorker first up which he defends before driving the next into the covers for a single to get off the mark.

Hope keeps strike with one off the last ball past point.

A fantastic start by Hasan as he concede just two singles while picking up a wicket.

10:44

Italy elect to bowl against West Indies

Italy captain Harry Manenti has won the toss and elected to bowl against the West Indies in their final group match in Kolkata on Thursday.

Italy have made a couple of changes as they look to finish on a high.

Meanwhile, West Indies, who have qualified for the Super 8s, have retained the same playing XI.

Check out the playing XIs:

Italy: Justin Mosca, Anthony Mosca, Syed Naqvi, JJ Smuts, Harry Manenti (Captain), Ben Manenti, Grant Stewart, Gian Meade (w/k), Crishan Kalugamage, Thomas Draca, Ali Hasan.

West Indies: Brandon King, Shai Hope (Captain, w/k), Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph

10:25

West Indies aim to continue winning run vs Italy

West Indies

Welcome to the coverage of the T20 World Cup Group C match between West Indies and Italy at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday.

Two-time champions West Indies will look to fine-tune their combination and deliver yet another clinical performance when they take on spirited debutants Italy in their final group match.

Though the Caribbean side has slumped since its second and last T20 World Cup triumph at this very venue a decade ago, it is beginning to peak at the right time in this edition of the global showpiece.

As the business end approaches, the Darren Sammy-coached outfit appears to be finding rhythm for a demanding Super Eights schedule.

West Indies will face Zimbabwe in Mumbai on February 23, South Africa in Ahmedabad on February 26, before returning here for a marquee clash against co-hosts and title favourites India on March 1.

With that decisive fixture also at Eden Gardens, the Caribbean side would be keen to stamp authority and build momentum at a venue that has historically been kind to it.

Skipper Shai Hope has rediscovered touch at the top just in time.

After modest returns of 0 against England, and 19 versus Scotland, the opener responded with a fluent 44-ball 61 not out to steer a nine-wicket chase against Nepal in their previous outing.

Shimron Hetmyer has provided solidity and power in the middle-order and struck a 64 in their tournament-opener against Scotland at this venue. He followed it up with an unbeaten 46 against Nepal, scoring at brisk strike rates and lending stability to the innings.

Sherfane Rutherford has flourished in the finisher's role as the explosive left-hander struck at a strike rate of 200 in his last appearance here and produced a stunning 42-ball 76 not out to power West Indies to 196/6 against England. He will once again look to impose himself at the death.

Among the bowlers, Matthew Forde has been particularly impressive, maintaining a superb economy rate across two matches and providing control in the middle overs, alongside Roston Chase and Gudakesh Motie.

Already out from the competition, for Italy, the clash presents an opportunity to exit with pride.

More renowned for their football exploits, the World Cup debutants have nevertheless enjoyed a memorable campaign, including a commanding 10-wicket win over Nepal which was their maiden victory at this level.

They will be playing their third match at Eden Gardens and, with growing familiarity of the conditions, will aim to produce an upset even if only for the record books.

The Mosca brothers have been instrumental at the top.

Younger sibling Justin returned to form with an unbeaten 60 against Nepal and followed it with a brisk 43 against England.

Elder brother Anthony struck 62 not out in the Nepal fixture and their 124-run opening stand became the highest partnership by brothers in T20 World Cup history.

In the absence of regular skipper Wayne Madsen, who dislocated his left shoulder in the fourth over of their debut match against Scotland, Italy have shown admirable fight.

Ben Manenti has been in superb form with two fifties in three matches, while Harry Manenti has led the side admirably.

Ben's 25-ball 60 at this venue recently gave England a scare while chasing 202 as Italy showed appetite in pursuit of a 200-plus target, needing 30 runs off the last two overs before eventually falling short by 24 runs.

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