Italy wins the toss and chooses to field against West Indies in their final T20 World Cup match

KOLKATA, India (AP) — Italy won the toss and was elected to field against the West Indies in their final T20 World Cup match on Thursday.

West Indies have already qualified for the Super 8s with three consecutive victories in Group C and are in Group 1 with co-hosts India, Zimbabwe and South Africa. New Zealand, England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are in Group 2 of the second round.

Announcement

Harry Manenti continues to lead Italy, playing in their first major ICC global event, after captain Wayne Madsen was ruled out of the tournament after suffering a dislocated shoulder at the same venue while on the field in the opening group match against Scotland.

Manenti hoped his bowlers would have some swing in the day’s play and take some early wickets.

“I hope there is something in the wicket,” Manenti said at the toss. “We take a bit of confidence from the England game and West Indies are another powerful team.”

Italy were beaten by Scotland and England in their group matches but shocked much-anticipated Nepal with a sensational 10-wicket win in Mumbai.

Announcement

West Indies’ top-order batsmen scored aggressively with captain Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford scoring half-centuries in the three group matches.

Hope said he didn’t mind losing the toss as “it’s not in our hands” as West Indies went with an unchanged team that beat Nepal by nine wickets in the last match.

Later Thursday

Zimbabwe, who knocked Australia out of the tournament, conclude their group stage with a match against Sri Lanka in Colombo later on Thursday.

Afghanistan, which reached the semifinals in 2024 and lost a thrilling double tiebreaker to South Africa last week, will meet Canada in their final Group D match.

Announcement

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West Indies: Brandon King, Shai Hope (captain), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Matthew Forde, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosain, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie.

Italy: Justin Mosca, Anthony Mosca, Syed Naqvi, Harry Manenti (captain), JJ Smuts, Ben Manenti, Grant Stewart, Gian-Piero Meade, Crishan Kalugamage, Thomas Draca, Ali Hasan.

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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket