KOLKATA: Shamar Joseph delivered a masterclass in fielding and bowling, rewriting T20 World Cup records as West Indies crushed Italy by 42 runs on Thursday. The 25-year-old became the pioneer of a unique double: four wickets plus four catches in one innings—something never seen before in men’s or women’s T20 World Cups.
Joseph’s all-round mayhem saw him clean up Italy’s top order. He caught out skipper Harry Manenti, Grant Stewart, Thomas Draca, and Ali Hassan off his own bowling in a spell of 4 overs for 30 runs. His safe hands also snared Anthony Mosca, Syed Nakvi, JJ Smuts, and Gian Meade, leaving Italy shell-shocked.
Earlier, West Indies recovered from a shaky start to reach 165/6. Shai Hope’s aggressive 75 (46 balls, 6×4, 4×6) anchored the innings, with Chase and Rutherford adding 24 apiece. Italy fought back with Manenti and Kalugamage grabbing two wickets each.
Italy’s chase never took off. They folded for 123 in 18 overs, with modest contributions from Manenti (26), Smuts (24), and Mosca (19). Forde’s three-fer complemented Joseph’s haul, Motie added two, and Hussain one.
Undefeated in the group stage, West Indies eye Super 8 glory against Zimbabwe, South Africa, and India. Italy’s campaign ends on a low, salvaged only by their historic win over Nepal.