Nepal has achieved an extraordinary feat in international T20 cricket, securing a remarkable 19-run victory over the West Indies in the opening match of their three-game T20I series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
This triumph marks Nepal’s first-ever win against a full member nation of the International Cricket Council (ICC), giving them an impressive 1-0 lead in the series.
After winning the toss, the West Indies elected to field first, successfully limiting Nepal to a total of 148 for 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Nepal’s innings was a testament to their middle-order resilience after an shaky start.
Early wickets saw Nepal falter at 12/2 in the fourth over, with Kushal Bhurtel (5) and Aasif Sheikh (3) departing quickly. However, captain Rohit Paudel (38 runs off 35 balls), Kusal Malla (30 runs from 21 balls), and Gulsan Jha (22 runs off 16 balls) combined effectively to stabilize the innings and set a competitive total.
For the West Indies, Jason Holder was the pick of the bowlers, claiming an impressive 4 wickets for just 20 runs. Navin Bidaisee also made crucial breakthroughs, taking 3 wickets for 29 runs, including the key dismissals of Paudel and Malla in successive overs.
The West Indies’ chase began disastrously, with Kyle Mayers run out for a mere five runs by Kushal Bhurtel. Their batting lineup struggled to build partnerships, losing wickets at regular intervals.
Despite several batsmen getting starts, none could convert them into substantial scores. Amir Jangoo (19), Ackeem Auguste (15), Keacy Carty (16), and Navin Bidaisee (22) all contributed briefly before returning to the pavilion.
Late efforts from Fabian Allen (19 runs off 14 balls) and captain Akeal Hosein (18 runs off 9 balls) provided some resistance, but ultimately, the West Indies could only manage 129 runs for 9 wickets in their 20 overs, falling 19 runs short of Nepal’s total.
The second T20I of this exciting series is scheduled for September 29th. It’s worth noting that the West Indies team for this match was missing several of their regular, star players.
Nepal’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure throughout the West Indies’ innings, with Kushal Bhurtel’s impactful spell of 2 wickets for 17 runs playing a vital role in securing this memorable and historic victory.