Kolkata, February 19 Shai Hope led the scoring with a 75 off 46 balls before his bowlers delivered as expected, as the West Indies defeated Italy by 42 runs to qualify for the Super 8s of the T20 World Cup as group toppers here on Thursday.
The West Indies posted 165/6 in their final Group C match, and then dismissed Italy for 123 in 18 overs. Shamar Joseph (4/30) and Matthew Forde (3/10) were the leading bowlers for the Caribbean side.
Asked to bat first, the West Indies were well served by Hope, who hit six boundaries and four sixes, but their other top-order batsmen failed to make significant contributions against some disciplined bowling by Italy.
Sherfane Rutherford (24 off 15 balls) and Matthew Forde (16 off 8 balls) provided useful cameos towards the end, and remained not out.
Sri Lanka-born leg-spinner Crishan Kalugamage was the most impressive bowler for Italy, returning figures of 2/25 in four overs.
Brief scores:
West Indies: 165/6 in 20 overs (Shai Hope 75; Crishan Kalugamage 2/25, Ben Manenti 2/37)
Italy: 123 all out in 18 overs (Ben Manenti 26, JJ Smuts 24; Matthew Forde 3/19, Shamar Joseph 4/30)
