Kolkata, Feb 19 (NationPress) Captain Harry Manenti acknowledged that his team faced challenges in delivering a cohesive performance, noting that they lost wickets at critical junctures, despite a commendable showing with the ball. Italy experienced a 42-run defeat against the West Indies in their final group match of the T20 World Cup 2026, held at Eden Gardens on Thursday.

The fast bowler Shamar Joseph from the West Indies claimed four wickets, leaving Italy all out for a mere 123 runs while pursuing a target of 166.

Reflecting on the loss, Manenti stated, “I’m genuinely pleased with our initial performances with the ball. We are aware of the power they wield, and allowing them a target of 166 on a favorable wicket was a setback, similar to our performance against England. We consistently lost wickets at vital moments, failing to establish a partnership that could secure a victory.”

However, Manenti expressed pride in the team’s overall performance throughout the tournament. “I’m immensely proud of the squad. There have been various instances where the players showcased their skills,” he remarked.

Despite falling short of executing a complete game, the captain recognized the resilience demonstrated by the team during their inaugural T20 World Cup campaign.

“Our capacity to maintain competitiveness for extended periods, particularly against skilled teams like England and the West Indies, has been exhilarating. We managed to regain control at critical points in these last two matches,” he noted.

Nonetheless, Manenti acknowledged the need for improved consistency across all phases. “We likely haven’t yet perfected a comprehensive game of cricket. While our bowling was commendable, we could improve further. Our performance against England was acceptable, but we could have excelled more, and today, we exhibited promising signs with the ball but faltered with the bat,” he explained.

He also emphasized the vital role of continued support for Associate nations from the International Cricket Council (ICC), advocating for increased playing opportunities to foster growth.

“It is crucial for all Associate nations to receive adequate funding and support from the top. It’s not always straightforward, as financial resources must be allocated wisely.

“If we can secure ongoing cricket support from the ICC and larger nations, and provide more playing opportunities for the mid-tier nations, we will hopefully become more competitive in these events. The more cricket we play together, the better our chances will be to compete against major nations like the West Indies or England,” he concluded.

Italy wrapped up their campaign with just one win in four matches, finishing in fourth place in the Group C points table.