MUMBAI — Qualification secured, but complacency dismissed. West Indies captain Shai Hope has made it clear his side will not ease off when they meet Italy in their final preliminary fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Thursday, insisting momentum and standards remain paramount.
The Caribbean side sealed passage to the Super Eights with a commanding nine-wicket demolition of Nepal at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, a performance that showcased both discipline and firepower.
Yet for Hope, the job is far from complete.
“Continuing the brand of cricket we want”
Rather than viewing the Italy match as a formality, the skipper framed it as a vital opportunity to sharpen execution before the tournament’s decisive phase.
“It’s just about continuing the brand of cricket that we want to play, ensuring that we’re hitting our straps, focusing on all of the little details that we tend to neglect every now and again, and just about continuing the way we’ve been playing,” Hope said after the victory.
“We’ve been playing really good cricket over the last couple of games and series and it’s just about bringing it together and hopefully we can carry it all the way through to the backend of the tournament,” he added.
Bowlers lay the foundation
Hope reserved special praise for his bowling unit, whose disciplined display suffocated Nepal and effectively decided the contest.
All-rounder Jason Holder spearheaded the attack with a devastating 4 for 27, while Matthew Forde delivered a miserly spell, conceding only 10 runs in four overs and claiming a wicket.
Their efforts restricted Nepal to 133 for eight, a total the West Indies chased with clinical ease.
“The guys put the ball in the right areas. It’s something that Matthew has been doing very well, especially at the start of the innings, and it put them under pressure for the entire time, and it was difficult work for them in the Powerplay,” Hope explained.
“Then, throughout the innings, it was just about trying to limit the flow of runs and keep picking up wickets. We didn’t pick up as many wickets as we wanted to in the backend, but I’m very happy with the bowlers today (Sunday).”
Eyes fixed on the bigger prize
The emphatic win not only secured progression but reinforced the Windies’ identity as a team building toward peak form at the right moment.
Hope’s message ahead of the Italy encounter is unmistakable: qualification may be in hand, but intensity must not dip.
With the Super Eights looming, the captain wants his side sharpening every edge, ensuring that when the tournament reaches its most unforgiving stage, the West Indies are already operating at full throttle.
