England survives Italy scare to reach Super Eights at T20 World Cup, Afghanistan registers first win
KOLKATA, India (AP) — England survived a scare before sealing a 24-run win over Italy on Monday to qualify for the Super Eights stage of cricket’s Twenty20 World Cup.
Ben Manenti smashed 60 off only 25 balls, with six sixes, as Italy threatened to chase down a target of 202-7 set by England in their Group C clash.
Grant Stewart also hit 45 in 23 deliveries but Sam Curran (3-22) and Jamie Overton (3-18) held their nerve in the last two overs as Italy was bowled out for 178.
Earlier, Will Jacks thumped 53 not out off 22 balls as England notched up its highest total of the tournament in a must-win game.
The two-time champion is now through to the Super Eights, along with group rival West Indies, co-host India and South Africa.
In Delhi, Afghanistan shrugged off back-to-back defeats in its first two games to finally register a first win at the tournament, beating the United Arab Emirates by five wickets.
Azmatullah Omarzai hit 40 not out off 21 balls and opener Ibrahim Zadran scored 53 off 41 deliveries as Afghanistan, coming off the narrowest of narrow losses to 2024 runnerup South Africa in a Group D contest decided after a second Super Over, finished on 162-5 in 19.2 overs.
It was a good all-round showing from Omarzai, who also picked up 4-15 in four overs to help restrict UAE to 160-9 after his team had won the toss.
In the evening game at Pallekele, unbeaten co-host Sri Lanka opted to bowl after winning the toss against struggling Australia in Group B.
Fit-again Mitchell Marsh is back to lead Australia, who must win to stay alive in the tournament.
Steve Smith, who hasn’t played a T20 international for Australia in two years, was brought in as a squad replacement for injured fast bowler Josh Hazlewood but has not been included in Monday’s team.
All-round shows boost England and Afghanistan
England’s top-order struggled to get going at the start against Italy, the team reaching 92-4 just past the halfway mark.
But Jacks came to the rescue, hitting four sixes and putting on 54 off 25 balls with Curran (25) for the sixth wicket. Jacks then added another 35 off 16 deliveries with Overton (15) to take England beyond 200.
Jofra Archer struck twice in the first over to leave Italy on 1-2. It later became 22-3, with Overton dismissing skipper Harry Manenti for 12.
Ben Manenti and opener Justin Mosca then added 92 in 48 balls, with the former’s swashbuckling half-century giving Italy hope of pulling off a shock win.
Stewart also cracked 21 runs off leg-spinner Adil Rashid in the 18th over but Curran and Overton led England home.
Afghanistan only has a slim chance of qualifying for the Super Eights despite beating the UAE.
New Zealand has four points from two wins and could knock out Afghanistan if it beats Canada in Chennai on Tuesday. The Afghans play Canada in their final game in Chennai on Thursday.
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