Nepal (NEP) and Italy (ITA) are set to face off in Match 17 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on Thursday, February 12. Both teams will be eager to make a strong statement as the group stage intensifies.
Match Details: NEP vs ITA
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Series | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Match | Nepal vs Italy, Match 17 (Group C) |
| Date | Thursday, 12 February 2026 |
| Time | 03:00 PM IST |
| Toss Time | 02:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Wankhede Stadium |
| City | Mumbai |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar, FanCode |
Match Preview
Nepal enter this contest after a spirited performance against England in their tournament opener. Chasing a challenging target of 185, Rohit Paudel’s side displayed remarkable composure and attacking intent, finishing at 180/6. The match went down to the final over, where Sam Curran’s precise bowling denied Nepal a historic victory. Despite the loss, Nepal’s fearless batting and disciplined bowling highlighted their growing confidence on the global stage.
Italy, meanwhile, had a difficult introduction to World Cup cricket. Their clash against Scotland saw early drama when captain Wayne Madsen was forced off the field after a shoulder injury. Scotland capitalized to post a commanding 207/4, and Italy were eventually bowled out for 134. However, there were positives for the Azzurri, with Ben Manenti contributing with the bat and Ali Hasan showing promise with the ball.
With Nepal looking to convert momentum into points and Italy aiming for redemption, an intriguing contest awaits.
Head-to-Head Record: NEP vs ITA
| Team | Matches Won |
|---|---|
| Nepal (NEP) | 0 |
| Italy (ITA) | 0 |
| No Result | 0 |
This will be the first-ever T20I meeting between Nepal and Italy.
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Weather & Pitch Report: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- Weather Report: Mumbai is expected to experience hot and humid conditions on match day, with temperatures around 29°C and humidity levels between 45-55%.
- Pitch Report: The Wankhede surface traditionally favours batters, especially in white-ball cricket. While the first match at this venue offered assistance to swing bowlers under lights, this afternoon fixture is likely to be more batting-friendly. The shorter boundaries and true bounce could set the stage for a high-scoring encounter.
Probable Playing 11
Nepal (NEP) Playing 11:
1. Kushal Bhurtel, 2. Aasif Sheikh (WK), 3. Rohit Paudel (C), 4. Dipendra Singh Airee, 5. Aarif Sheikh, 6. Lokesh Bam, 7. Gulshan Jha, 8. Karan KC, 9. Nandan Yadav, 10. Sandeep Lamichhane, 11. Sher Malla
Italy (ITA) Playing 11:
1. Justin Mosca, 2. Anthony Mosca, 3. JJ Smuts, 4. Zain Ali, 5. Harry Manenti, 6. Ben Manenti, 7. Grant Stewart, 8. Gian Meade (WK), 9. Crishan Kalugamage, 10. Thomas Draca, 11. Ali Hasan
Who Will Win Today’s Match? (AI Prediction)
Nepal appear to have the edge heading into this contest. Their competitive showing against England demonstrated both batting depth and bowling discipline. The presence of experienced players like Rohit Paudel, Dipendra Singh Airee, and Sandeep Lamichhane strengthens their chances.
Italy showed glimpses of promise but struggled with consistency and handling pressure in their opening game. To challenge Nepal, they will need significant contributions from their middle order and bowlers.
AI Match Prediction: Nepal are favourites to win Match 17 against Italy.
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Disclaimer
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