Nepal captain Rohit Paudel accepted his team’s comprehensive loss to Italy in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, where Italy secured a 10-wicket victory at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. Paudel mentioned that Italy outplayed them, emphasizing Nepal’s missed opportunities in batting despite the challenging conditions.
Nepal was dismissed for 123 runs in 19.3 overs, following which Italy effortlessly chased the target in just 12.4 overs without losing a wicket, thanks to a remarkable 124-run partnership between Justin and Anthony Mosca. This defeat marked Nepal’s second ten-wicket loss in T20Is, following a similar outcome against the West Indies in 2025.
Reflecting on the match, Paudel expressed disappointment in Nepal’s performance during the middle overs, highlighting their poor batting display and lack of adaptability to the conditions. He believed that his own dismissal significantly altered the game’s momentum, impacting Nepal’s chances of a better outcome.
Despite a strong showing against England in the previous match, Nepal’s inconsistency was evident in the game against Italy. Paudel stressed the importance of consistency for a team like theirs and credited Italy for their exceptional performance. Nepal will now face the West Indies in a crucial match on February 15 at the same venue.
