ICC/CricketEurope

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A resurgent Italy bounced back from their defeat by Gibraltar to qualify for a semi final clash with Belgium after beating France by 108 runs at Medicina.

That scenario wasn’t on the cards when a fine opening burst from Sam Evely had the Italians in disarray at 32 for 4. Evely took 3 for 14 in a fine spell of controlled aggression with the ball, backed up by some fine catching, especially a sharp chance taken by Oliver Mawdsley at second slip.

Alas for France, it was all downhill after that, as they visibly wilted in the brutal afternoon soon, with temperatures rising above 40 Centigrade. Their ground fielding deteriorated , and they also dropped seven catches, and when you do that, you’re in trouble.

Sahidul Islam Asad (40), and Aamir Shaikh (41) put on what was to prove a match winning stand of 69 for the 5th wicket, taking their team past the hundred mark. Shaikh hit 5 fours and 2 sixes from just 46 balls, while Swad was more circumspect taking 68 balls.

Faysal Mia (31), and Muhammad Asghar (15) provided plenty of fireworks down the order, and Italy would have been more than satisfied with their final total of 190 for 8.

Sam Evely (4-28) was the stand out performer with the ball for France, while it was a bit of mystery why Seb Field (1-6 from 4), and Hamza Niaz (0-5 from 3) didn’t bowl their full compliment of overs. James Harding (2-35), and Ammar Zahir (1-17) were the other wicket takers.

In reply France lost the early wickets of skipper James Harding, run out for two, and Pierre Kaveri bowled by Singh for five.

They consolidated with a stubborn stand of 27 between Avishka Liyanaarachhchi (25), and Oliver Mawdsley (12) to take them to 46 for 2. Those pair were however the only players to make it to double figures, as the brittleness of their batting was brutally and clinically exposed by an impressive Itlalian bowling display.

Alamin Mia (4-14) ripped out the middle order, taking his four wickets in the space of 8 balls, while skipper Muhammad Adnan (3-27) polishing off the tail.

Italy went from 69 for 3 to 82 all out in the space of 6 overs, losing their last seven wickets for just 13 runs, much to the delight of the Italian team and spectators.

They face Belgium on Thursday in what is sure to be an exciting fixture – just who emerges victorious will depend on which Italian team turns up – the one which bowled and fielded with great skill today, or that which conceded 44 wides the previous day against Gibraltar.