Crishan Kalugamage Delivers Italy's First T20 World Cup Victory

Crishan Kalugamage, a 32-year-old leg-spinner who works as a pizza chef in Italy, etched his name into cricket history by starring in Italy’s first-ever win at the ICC T20 World Cup. Kalugamage returned figures of 3 for 18 to set up a commanding 10-wicket victory over Nepal at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Italy, playing in their maiden T20 World Cup campaign, restricted Nepal to 123 before chasing down the 124-run target with ease. The Mosca brothers, Justin and Anthony, provided a brisk start, racing to 16 runs in the first two overs and maintaining control throughout the innings to complete the historic win without losing a wicket.

Kalugamage’s clinical opening spell proved decisive. His tight lines and variations dismantled Nepal’s top order, earning him the Player of the Match award. The performance marked a landmark moment not only for the Azzurri but also for associate cricket nations striving to make their mark on the global stage.

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Off the field, Kalugamage’s journey has been far from conventional. A pizzaiolo by profession, he has had to balance long working hours with training and international commitments. In interviews, he has previously spoken about the challenges of pursuing professional cricket while working in the hospitality industry.

Italy’s breakthrough victory reflects the growing competitiveness of emerging cricket nations in global tournaments. For Kalugamage, the performance represents the culmination of years of perseverance — from managing a pizza oven to delivering match-winning spells on one of cricket’s biggest stages.

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