Rohit Paudel's Nepal beat Akeal Hosein's West Indies in Sharjah (PHOTO: ESPNcricinfo)
Nepal created history on Saturday with a 19-run victory over West Indies in a T20I in Sharjah, marking their first-ever win against a Full Member nation across formats.
According to ESPNcricinfo, although Nepal had previously defeated Afghanistan in a T20I back in 2014, Afghanistan was still an Associate side at the time. This triumph against the two-time T20 World Cup champions not only opened their first bilateral series against a Full Member, but also showcased a complete team performance.
ESPNcricinfo reported that six Nepalese batters cleared the ropes at least once, six bowlers took a wicket each, and their fielding consistently outshone that of their opponents.
Opting to field first, West Indies’ Akeal Hosein saw his bowlers make early inroads. Nepal’s openers, Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh, were dismissed within the first 20 balls. Captain Rohit Paudel and Kushal Malla then steadied the innings, with Malla providing the momentum through aggressive stroke play, including two towering sixes.
Despite losing quick wickets late in the innings, Jason Holder claimed three scalps in the 19th over, Nepal reached a competitive 148 for 8, aided by some erratic West Indies catching.
In response, the West Indies chase faltered after Kyle Mayers’ early run-out. While debutant Ackeem Auguste briefly entertained with two sixes, Nepal’s spinners soon applied the squeeze, restricting the scoring during the middle overs.
Brilliant fielding from Dipendra Singh Airee further derailed the West Indies effort, running out Keacy Carty with a sharp throw. Holder, the most experienced batter in the lineup, managed just five before falling to Bhurtel.
Despite late resistance from Hosein and Fabian Allen, the target proved too steep. Nepal’s performance ensured West Indies fell 19 runs short, closing on 129 for 9.