The Sharjah stadium resonated with cheers as Nepal’s team celebrated their historic T20I series win over the West Indies. The emphatic 90-run victory not only gave Nepal a 2-0 series lead, with a game still to be played, but also highlighted one of the most one-sided performances by an Associate team against a Full Member in the realm of T20 cricket.
Batting first, Nepal reached a respectable 173 for 6, thanks to a strong 100-run opening partnership between Aasif Sheikh (68* off 47) and Sundeep Jora (63 off 39). Despite a cautious beginning, the pair exploded in the later overs, smashing nine sixes between them. While Akeal Hosein bowled well for the West Indies, claiming 2 for 21 and briefly giving them hope, the Caribbean team failed to gain any significant momentum.
In reply, the West Indies faltered under Nepal’s disciplined bowling and exceptional fielding. Reduced to 16 for 2 in the powerplay, they struggled to regain their footing. Jason Holder’s 21 was the only noteworthy score, as the rest of the batting lineup failed to adjust. Mohammad Aadil Alam, a medium pacer playing his first match for Nepal since 2022, impressed with the ball, taking 4 for 24. Kushal Bhurtel added three crucial wickets, complementing his earlier fielding, and Gulsan Jha astonished everyone with two stunning catches.
The West Indies were eventually dismissed for just 83, their lowest total against an Associate side and their sixth-lowest T20I score. This loss also became the worst defeat for a Full Member at the hands of an Associate nation, underscoring Nepal’s significant progress as they prepare for the 2026 T20 World Cup qualifiers. It’s worth noting that Nepal achieved this remarkable feat without the services of their key spinner, Sandeep Lamichhane, who was unavailable throughout the series due to personal reasons.
