Italy Celebrate Historic T20 World Cup Win Over Nepal With Bollywood Icon Kabir Bedi

History was made at the Wankhede Stadium on February 12 as Italy registered their first-ever victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, defeating Nepal by a commanding 10 wickets.

The celebrations that followed were emotional, historic — and star-studded.

Italy’s players marked the moment with renowned Bollywood actor Kabir Bedi, who shares a deep connection with Italy and has long been a celebrated figure in the country.

A Dream Realised for Italian Cricket

Chasing a modest target of 124, Italy completed the task in just 12.4 overs without losing a wicket. As the winning runs were scored, Italian Cricket Federation president Simone Gambino was visibly emotional, shedding tears as decades of effort finally bore fruit.

Standing beside him during the celebrations was Kabir Bedi — an old friend and cultural icon in Italy.

For those unaware, Bedi achieved immense popularity in Italy after starring in the 1976 Italian television miniseries Sandokan. In the show, he portrayed the rebellious pirate “Sandokan,” also known as the Malaysian Tiger, a character that became a household name in Italy.

“In Italy they only know you. The Malaysian Tiger — Kabir Bedi,” Gambino said during the emotional exchange.

Kabir Bedi Congratulates Italy in Italian

The Italian cricket team shared a video on their official Instagram account showing Bedi congratulating Gambino and interacting with the players — even speaking in Italian.

Bedi also reflected on how Gambino had long dreamed of putting Italy on the global cricket map — a dream that now appears within reach.

The moment symbolised not just a sporting achievement, but also a cultural bridge between India and Italy.

Italy Send Warning to England

Buoyed by the historic win, Gambino even issued a bold statement about their ambitions in the tournament.

With the 10-wicket victory over Nepal, Italy leapfrogged England in Group C on net run rate and moved to third place in the standings.

“I would’ve never imagined this moment. But now we are going right back to Kolkata to shoot down England. We want to be in semis,” Gambino said in a celebratory video.

While the comment was made in excitement, it reflects Italy’s growing confidence as they continue their World Cup journey.

Mosca Brothers Power Italy to Victory

On the field, Italy delivered a near-perfect performance.

After opting to bowl first, Italy restricted Nepal to 123 runs.

• Crishan Kalugamage starred with figures of 3/18 in four overs.
• Ben Manenti was equally economical, conceding just nine runs while picking up two wickets.

In reply, the Mosca brothers sealed the historic win:

• Justin Mosca
• Anthony Mosca

The duo stitched together an unbeaten 124-run opening partnership, completing the chase in emphatic fashion and ensuring Italy’s first-ever T20 World Cup victory.

What This Win Means for Italy

This result is significant for several reasons:

• 🇮🇹 Italy’s first win in T20 World Cup history
• 📈 Improved net run rate and stronger qualification hopes
• 🌍 Boost for cricket’s growth in non-traditional European nations
• 🎥 A viral cultural moment featuring Kabir Bedi

Italy’s victory not only energises their campaign but also highlights the expanding footprint of cricket beyond traditional powerhouses.