That's all from the warm-up fixture between Canada and Italy, folks! For now, it's me, Deepak Prakash, signing off on behalf of co-commentator Manan Mehta and scorer/analyst Danish Elahi. CHEERS!
10:32 PM IST, Local Time: Brilliant all-round performance from Italy as they outclass Canada by 10 runs in the warm-up fixture.
Earlier, after being asked to bat first, the Mosca brothers — Justin Mosca (22) and Anthony Mosca (22) — gave Italy a decent start, adding 45 runs for the first wicket. However, the scoring rate dipped once the field restrictions ended, and both openers departed for identical scores.
JJ Smuts anchored the innings well through the middle phase but fell one run short of a well-deserved fifty. Harry Manenti’s valuable unbeaten 33 pushed Italy past the 150-run mark in their 20 overs. Kaleem Sana, Dilpreet Bajwa, Jaskaran Singh, and Saad Bin Zafar picked up one wicket each for Canada. In response, Canada made a flying start as Yuvraj Samra (33) and Dilpreet Bajwa (37) attacked from the outset, putting on 55 runs for the opening wicket. However, the momentum stalled after the dismissal of both openers, with Italy’s bowlers applying the brakes through disciplined spells. Wickets fell at regular intervals, and Canada struggled to recover from the pressure.
Nicholas Kirton took time to get going but found it difficult to clear the ropes when required, eventually departing for 33 off 27 balls. Canada were ultimately held to 146/6 in their 20 overs, with Thomas Draca, Ali Hasan, JJ Smuts, and Ben Manenti picking up a wicket apiece for Italy.
OVER 20
Canada
146/6
Dilon Heyliger
7(7)
Saad Bin Zafar
3(2)
Grant Stewart
1-18(3.0)
19.6 G Stewart to Zafar
1 Full-length delivery outside off. Zafar drills it to wide long-off for one. Italy win the warm-up match by 10 runs.
19.5 G Stewart to Zafar
2 Full-length delivery outside off. Zafar throws his bat and slices it over covers for a double.