India A’s encounter with Namibia was a masterclass in modern T20 cricket, as they secured a staggering 130-run win. The tone was set by Riyan Parag, whose explosive 69 off just 39 deliveries served as the backbone of the Indian innings. Supported by composed and valuable contributions from Naman Dhir and Ashutosh Sharma, India A surged to a formidable 197/8. While the Namibian bowling attack saw bright spots in Gerhard Erasmus, Rubin Trumpelmann, and Max Heingo—each claiming two wickets—the sheer momentum of the Indian scoring proved difficult to contain.
The second half of the match was even more one-sided. Namibia’s chase never found its rhythm as the Indian bowling unit operated with surgical precision. The pace and guile of Gurjapneet Singh, Mayank Yadav, and Ashok Sharma, combined with the craft of Vipraj Nigam, decimated the Namibian top and middle order. With Ravi Bishnoi and Ayush Badoni also chipping in, Namibia was bundled out for a mere 67 runs in 12.1 overs. Only two Namibian batters managed to cross into double figures, illustrating a gulf in execution that Namibia will need to address before their tournament opener.
Parallel to the action in the Indian camp, Italy delivered a "thumping" statement of their own by crushing the United Arab Emirates by 112 runs. The narrative of the Italian innings was written by the Mosca brothers, who dismantled the UAE bowling attack with contrasting styles of aggression. Anthony Mosca’s blistering 55 off 22 balls provided the early fireworks, while Justin Mosca’s 48 off 36 anchored the middle period. Late-inning cameos from Grant Stewart and Harry Manenti propelled Italy to a robust 193/7.
The UAE’s response was fraught with instability from the outset. At one point reeling at 35/8, the side avoided a total collapse only through a 31-run ninth-wicket stand between Muhammad Farooq and Mohammad Zohaib. However, the result was never in doubt. Italy’s Grant Stewart and Crishan Kalugamage were the chief destroyers with three wickets apiece, while JJ Smuts showcased his all-round value with a brace. These warm-up results serve as a vital barometer for the participating teams; for India A and Italy, the performances represent a perfect crescendo of form, while for Namibia and the UAE, they offer a sobering reminder of the clinical standards required on the world stage.
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