It was a match dominated by two big innings from Steven Taylor and Gareth Berg. And it was Berg's Italian team who ended up as winners in a close match today in Abu Dhabi.

Batting first after winning the toss, the USA lost two wickets early on before Steven Taylor and Karan Ganesh put on 102 for the fourth wicket. Taylor was very much the dominant player of the two, and he took his personal tally to 91 before he was out.

Timroy Allen, who scored a half century yesterday, was out first ball soon afterwards, and the USA took their total to 160-5 from their 20 overs, with Ganesh being run out for 36 from the last ball of their innings.

Italy started their reply well with an opening partnership of 69 between Gareth Berg and Andy Northcote. Berg continued after Northcote was out, going past his highest List A Twenty20 score and on to 90, scored from just 47 balls.

Berg's dismissal didn't stop the Italian chase, and Carl Sandri smashed an unbeaten 27 from just 16 balls to take Italy to a six wicket win with four balls to spare after an awful final over from former West Indies international Adam Sanford. Needing to restrict Italy to under 7, he promptly bowled two wides a no-ball, handing Italy the win.

The USA will hope to bounce right back when they play Namibia tomorrow, whilst Italy have a day off before taking on Uganda on Monday.