West Indies register victory against Italy by 42 runs:Shai Hope’s brisk 75, Shamar’s 4-fer keeps Caribbean side on top in Group C

West Indies stayed unbeaten in the first round of the T20 World Cup 2026 as they defeated Italy by 42 runs in the last Group C clash. The game that was played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, Italy won the toss and opted to bowl first. The Caribbean side posted a 164-run target for Italy with Shai Hope’s 75 off 46 balls, but Shamar Joseph’s 4-wicket haul asserted dominance and sealed win for West Indies. Ben Manenti tried to put on a fight with his short 26 off 21, but it was not enough to lead Italy past the West Indies pace attack. Shai Hope’s anchoring 75, Sherfane Rutherford’s quick 24-run cameo Brandon King got out cheaply for 4 while facing Ali Hasan. However, the West Indies captain and opener Shai Hope slammed a fifty and stormed to 75 off 46 balls. He got dismissed by Crishan Kalugamage, and the Caribbean side suffered a middle-order collapse. Then, Roston Chase and Sherfane Rutherford’s brief cameos led West Indies to a competitive total of 165 for the loss of 6 wickets in 20 overs. Ben Manenti and Crishan Kalugamage bagged two wickets each for Italy. Meanwhile, Ali Raza and Thomas Draca scalped one each. Shamar Joseph’s 4-wicket haul dismantles partnership from Italy batters The pace duo of Matthew Forde (3) and Shamar Joseph (4) together bagged 7 wickets in 8 overs for the West Indies. Resultingly, Italy got bundled out for 123 in just 18 overs. Then spinners Gudakesh Motie and Akeal Hosein took the remaining 3 wickets for the Caribbean side in the end to lead their side to a 42-run win. What’s West Indies’ Super-8 schedule? Here’s what West Indies’ Super-8 schedule looks like moving ahead in this T20 World Cup: