Italy have ambitions of hosting top-class cricket from Rome to Milan and Bologna after a historic and emotional first T20 World Cup victory.

The lowest-ranked side in the 20-team tournament hammered Nepal by 10 wickets on Thursday at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.

The win, in just their second match at their debut T20 World Cup, left some of the Italy players in tears of joy.

Brothers Justin and Anthony Mosca — who hail from Sydney — powered the team’s chase of 124 to achieve a famous triumph with more than seven overs to spare.

None of the Italy team was born in the country far better known for its football than its cricket.

But the victory meant everything to them and after hitting the winning runs, the 34-year-old Anthony raised his arms to the sky, roared and shed a tear.

“I don’t think you’ll see many players cry on the field after a win in the group stages,” stand-in captain Harry Manenti said.

“I think you’ve got to appreciate what Italy cricket is bringing to the game, understand that the passion is slightly different with the Italians.

“We will bring that everywhere we go, no matter the level of the tournament or the level of the opposition.”

England loom next, at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens on Monday.

Italy’s cricket federation says it has about 1,800 players and around 100 clubs, but it is struggling for a natural cricket pitch.

Manenti hopes their World Cup exploits will help change the whole face of the sport in the country.

“We want other teams to host us and build facilities that host them back and that’s our goal as a team,” said Manenti, whose brother Ben also plays for the side. “That will provide opportunities for kids who are currently in Italy learning the game at a school level to see us playing in Rome or Milan or Bologna.”

Italy lost their opener to Scotland by 73 runs but bounced back in style to stun Nepal, who had given heavyweights England a mighty scare on Sunday.

The feat was achieved without South Africa-born skipper Wayne Madsen, who dislocated his shoulder in the Scotland defeat.

Italy is in the middle of the Winter Olympics, but their coach John Davison says the cricket team deserves its moment in the headlines there and beyond.

“This will be front-page news in a lot of countries and a lot of publications in Italy,” said the former Canada captain.

“For us to get that sort of exposure and maybe knock the Winter Olympics off the back page of the sports would be unbelievable for cricket in the country and just bring some attention to us.”

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ISLAMABAD: Talented Haider Ali once again brought immense pride to Pakistan on Wednesday by winning the gold medal in the discus throw event at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Dubai.

Haider secured top spot on the podium with an impressive throw of 54.71 metres as the 41-year-old prodigy outperformed elite opponents from 54 countries.

Speaking from the venue, Haider credited his success to rigorous preparation and divine intervention.

“I worked tirelessly for this championship, and I am grateful that my efforts have resulted in the Pakistani flag flying highest in the UAE. I am grateful to the Almighty Allah and my entire nation, whose prayers have rewarded my dedication with a gold,” he said.

The victory further solidifies Haider, who is expected to return to Pakistan, as the country’s most successful Para­lympic figure.

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2026

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BILBAO: Real Sociedad took control of their Copa del Rey semi-final tie with a 1-0 first-leg win at Athletic Bilbao as Benat Turrientes struck in the second half in the Basque derby on Wednesday.

The clash between the long-time rivals was finely balanced in the first half, but the visitors were the more composed of the two sides and are well-placed ahead of the return leg at San Sebastian’s Anoeta on March 4.

La Real, unbeaten in 10 matches since Pellegrino Matarazzo took cha­rge in mid-December, were sharper in a lively first half at San Mames but found Athletic’s second-choice goalkeeper Alex Padilla, deputising for Unai Simon in the Cup, in fine form.

Padilla first produced a sharp save to thwart Pablo Marin’s close-range effort from a counter-attack in the 25th minute and then denied Jon Martin with a reflex stop after Carlos Soler’s pinpoint free kick six minutes later.

Mikel Oyarzabal went close for the visitors soon afterwards, while a last-ditch sliding tackle prevented Inaki Williams from capitalising on an Athletic counter-attack before halftime.

Padilla continued his heroics in the second half, pulling off a brilliant one-handed save within a minute of the restart to keep out Oyarzabal’s low strike from the edge of the box.

From the rebound, Marin struck the post.

Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde introduced Nico Williams in the 55th minute, but the Spain forward, still recovering from a persistent groin injury, struggled to provide a decisive spark.

The breakthrough finally came in the 62nd minute when Athletic’s defence was caught trying to play out from the back.

Carlos Soler’s interception for Sociedad set up Goncalo Guedes, whose chip over the advancing Padilla fell invitingly for Turrientes to dispatch the ball into the empty net.

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2026

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