Sharjah: Nepal scripted one of the most historic moments in their cricketing journey here on Sunday as they defeated the West Indies by 19 runs in the first T20 International.
This was Nepal’s first-ever victory over a Full Member nation in international cricket, coming after 180 matches on the global stage. The result handed Nepal a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series and sent waves of celebration across their cricket-loving nation.
West Indies skipper Akeal Hosein opted to field first, and his bowlers made early inroads. Kushal Bhurtel was stumped off Hosein, while Aasif Sheikh fell to Jason Holder, leaving Nepal reeling at 12 for 2.
Skipper Rohit Paudel (38) then led the rescue act, adding 58 runs with Kushal Malla (30). Their partnership mixed aggressive stroke play with smart running, as they steadied the innings and lifted Nepal past the 50-run mark by the halfway stage.
Malla launched a six off Obed McCoy before falling to debutant leg-spinner Navian Bidaisee, who also dismissed Paudel soon after.
Gulsan Jha (22 off 13 balls) added vital late runs with two sixes, but Holder’s triple strike in the 19th over threatened to undo the middle-order effort. However, two crucial sixes in the final over pushed Nepal to a competitive 148 for 8. Holder was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 20, while Bidaisee impressed on debut with 3 for 29.
Chasing 149, the West Indies began aggressively with boundaries off the first over. However, Karan KC removed Kyle Mayers cheaply, and despite a few attacking shots from Ackeem Auguste and Jangoo, Nepal’s bowlers kept striking at regular intervals.
Paudel got success with the cherry too as he dismissed Jewel Andrew, while Jangoo’s departure further dented the chase. By the 10th over, West Indies were four down for 53.
The middle order collapsed under pressure, with Keacy Carty run out and Holder dismissed for five. The chase looked steep with 70 still needed in the last five overs. Bidaisee struck a few lusty blows before falling hit-wicket, leaving Hosein and Fabian Allen to mount a late fightback.
They hammered 19 runs off Sompal Kami’s over, narrowing the equation to 30 from 12 balls. But Karan KC’s dismissal of Hosein in the penultimate over sealed West Indies’ fate.
Allen tried hard in the final over with two boundaries, but the target proved too much, as Nepal bowled out West Indies for 129 in their 20 overs. Nepal’s bowlers shared the honours, with Kushal Bhurtel’s 2 for 17 and Lalit Rajbanshi’s 1 for 6 standing out in a disciplined effort.
The victory marks a defining chapter in Nepal’s cricket history, proving their growing stature in world cricket. For the West Indies, it was a sobering defeat that leaves them with work to do ahead of the remaining two games in the series.
Brief Scores: Nepal 148/8 in 20 overs (Rohit Paudel 38, Kushal Malla 30; Jason Holder 4-20, Navian Bidaisee 3-29)
West Indies 129/9 in 20 overs (Navian Bidaisee 22, Fabian Allen 19; Kushal Bhurtel 2-17, Lalit Rajbanshi 1-6)
Result: Nepal won by 19 runs.
