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.

The highly anticipated India vs Pakistan group stage clash in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled for February 15 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Ahead of this blockbuster fixture, weather forecasts have sparked fresh concerns about rain interruptions potentially affecting play.

Weather Conditions Ahead of Match Day

Colombo has experienced wet weather patterns this month, disrupting several warm-up fixtures and prompting worries about further interruptions. While the main tournament matches played so far have proceeded with minimal long delays, forecasts suggest cloudy skies and scattered rain in the days leading up to the India–Pakistan showdown.

According to weather models:

• February 14 could see cloudy conditions with rain around the afternoon and evening — possibly overlapping with pre-match preparations.
• On February 15, skies are expected to remain mostly cloudy with occasional bright spells, but isolated showers or thunderstorms cannot be ruled out, particularly during early evening hours when the match will be underway.

Overall, Colombo’s February monthly averages show a modest amount of rainfall spread over several days, meaning weather volatility is a normal feature this time of year.

What This Means for the Game

If rain moves in during the India vs Pakistan match, several scenarios could unfold:

• Delayed toss or later start depending on intensity and timing of rain
• Intermittent stoppages, especially during heavy cloud bursts
• Reduced overs decided by DLS if rain affects a portion of play

Stadium officials will be on high alert, and ground staff will deploy covers and drainage as soon as showers begin. The R. Premadasa venue has good drainage systems, which can help resume play more quickly after short rain spells.

Fans and officials alike will be hoping for a full uninterrupted contest, but given Colombo’s current weather trend and February’s moderate wet risk, a degree of uncertainty remains.

Key Takeaway

While complete washout is not the most likely outcome, the chance of isolated showers or thunderstorms on February 15 means that rain could delay or interrupt the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match in Colombo. Advance planning by teams and match officials will be crucial to managing any weather disruptions and ensuring maximum cricket is played.

England suffered a 30-run defeat to the West Indies in the 15th match of the T20 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday. Chasing a challenging target of 197, the 2022 champions fell short, raising fresh concerns about their campaign.

However, it wasn’t just the loss that grabbed attention — it was England captain Harry Brook’s candid post-match reaction that quickly went viral.

Brook’s “Thank God” Moment

After the defeat, Brook admitted that England were fortunate to have edged past Nepal in their previous game. England had narrowly escaped with a four-run win in that encounter, thanks to a brilliant final over from Sam Curran, who successfully defended 10 runs under pressure.

Reflecting on the situation, Brook said:

“Thank God we won against Nepal the other night, otherwise we’d be in a tricky situation. But we obviously play Scotland and Italy next, and yeah, we’ve just got to go back, do our homework on them and go back to the basics and see how we go.”

His remark highlighted how precarious England’s position could have been had they slipped up against Nepal. With one win and one loss so far, England remain in contention — but their margin for error is narrowing.

England’s Struggles Continue

England’s campaign has been far from convincing. Against Nepal, despite posting 184 runs, their bowling unit nearly let the game slip before Curran’s composure in the final over saved them.

The issues were more pronounced against the West Indies. While the Caribbean side posted 196, England’s chase never fully gathered momentum, particularly in the middle overs.

Spin Woes Exposed

The West Indies’ spin trio — Gudakesh Motie, Roston Chase, and Akeal Hosein — played a decisive role in the victory. Together, they claimed six wickets for 94 runs in 12 overs, effectively dismantling England’s middle order.

Motie was especially impressive, dismissing Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, and Tom Banton, tightening the screws at a crucial stage of the chase.

Despite the visible struggle, Brook insisted that England do not have a fundamental issue against spin.

“Not disappointed… we thought it was gonna dew up a little bit and the spinners would slide on a little bit more. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen tonight. And yeah, we’ll go back and have a reflection on it and go again in a few days.”

What This Means for England

The loss leaves England in a delicate position in the group stage. Their upcoming matches against Scotland and Italy now carry added importance. While England will likely start as favourites in both fixtures, their inconsistent performances mean they cannot afford complacency.

Key Concerns:

• Middle-order vulnerability against quality spin
• Death bowling inconsistencies (excluding Curran’s heroics vs Nepal)
• Over-reliance on individual brilliance

Positives:

• Strong batting depth on paper
• Experience in high-pressure tournaments
• A relatively manageable remaining group schedule

Bigger Picture

Brook’s honesty reflects a team aware of its flaws but confident in its ability to bounce back. However, in T20 cricket, momentum is everything. Another slip-up could push England dangerously close to elimination — something unthinkable for the defending champions just weeks ago.

With Scotland and Italy next on the schedule, England’s path forward is clear: reset, recalibrate, and deliver.