Home \u00bb Sports \u00bb Cricket \u00bb Italy top Challenge League B to reach Cricket World Cup 2027 play-off<\/p>\n
Italy secured first place in the ICC Men\u2019s Cricket World Cup Challenge League Group B following an eight-wicket victory over Tanzania in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The Italian team controlled their fate on the final day of the 15-match tournament, concluding with a four-point lead over Uganda after the latter suffered a last-over loss to Bahrain, according to the ICC.<\/p>\n
Both Italy and Uganda now advance to the Cricket World Cup Qualifier Play-Off later this year, an eight-team event featuring the top two teams from Challenge League A and the bottom four teams from Cricket World Cup League 2, which ranks above the Challenge League in the 50-over competition structure.<\/p>\n
Italy\u2019s campaign included previous tours to Hong Kong and Uganda. Entering the Tanzania leg behind Uganda with five matchdays remaining, Italy\u2019s early win against Uganda in the final leg paved the way for their surge, aided by Uganda\u2019s defeat to Hong Kong.<\/p>\n
The Italians remained unbeaten throughout the tour, culminating in a commanding display against Tanzania. Although losing the toss and trailing after Tanzania scored 87 for one within 15 overs, the hosts were dismissed for 142.<\/p>\n
Spin bowlers Rakibul Hasan, Akash Waduwalage, and Crishan Kalugamage shared all ten Tanzanian wickets for 87 runs. Waduwalage took five for 21, including the crucial wicket of Dhrumit Mehta, who scored 39, while Kalugamage claimed three for 28 to dismantle the middle order.<\/p>\n
In response, Italy\u2019s batsmen were dominant. Brothers Justin and AJ Mosca compiled a 121-run partnership, both reaching half-centuries. Justin scored 52 before falling, while AJ remained unbeaten on 75 from 71 balls. Together with captain Harry Manenti, who finished eight not out, Italy reached the target inside 26 overs.<\/p>\n
Italy and Uganda now await the draw for their opponents in the Qualifier Play-Off. Currently, Jersey and Kuwait hold the top two positions in Challenge League A with one leg remaining. In League 2, Namibia, Canada, Nepal, and the United Arab Emirates occupy the bottom four places, with Oman the only team that could be displaced from fourth.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Scotland, the USA, and the Netherlands have secured top-four finishes in League 2 and will progress to the Cricket World Cup Qualifier.<\/p>\n
The Qualifier Play-Off will determine the final four teams for the Cricket World Cup Qualifier. Matches in this tournament will carry One Day International status, marking Italy and Uganda\u2019s debut official ODIs.<\/p>\n
This story is written by TNM Bureau with inputs from ANI. The News Mill is a Guwahati-based digital media with focus on content from across Northeast India and beyond. We can be reached through [email\u00a0protected]<\/p>\n