The history of cricket in Italy is surprisingly long and they have a modestly successful national side (albeit at Associate level). Different to many countries where it is largely played by immigrants from the subcontinent. [0]

Seems a weird choice of wedge issue, though the article makes it sound like the mayor is basically shotgunning anything the Bangladeshi shipyard workers and their families enjoy, which I suppose makes some miserable sense.

[0]: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy_national_cricket_team