WI vs NEP, 1st T20I, Review: Nepal outshine West Indies to mark their first-ever win against Full Member team

Published - 28 Sept 2025, 09:27 IST | Updated - 28 Sept 2025, 09:55 IST

Nepal registered their name in history books on Saturday in Sharjah by defeating West Indies by 19 runs in the first T20I of their three-match series. This victory was not only their maiden win over the two-time world champions but also Nepal’s first-ever win against a Full Member nation after 180 internationals.

Notably, this is Nepal’s first bilateral T20I series against a Full Member, with Akeal Hosein leading the West Indies. Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, the Caribbean team looked to dominate the game as they picked two wickets inside the first four overs. But a brilliant middle-order recovery and a collective bowling effort swung the contest Nepal’s way.

Nepal’s batting did not begin smoothly, as openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh departed cheaply to Hosein and Jason Holder. Skipper Rohit Paudel (38 off 35) and Kushal Malla (30 off 21) then stitched a 58-run stand.

Debutant legspinner Navin Bidaisee put the Nepal team on the back foot by bagging three wickets, including both Paudel and Malla. But cameos from Gulsan Jha (22 off 16) and Dipendra Singh Airee (17 off 19) kept the scoreboard ticking. Despite Holder’s three wickets in the 19th over, late hits from Nandan Yadav ensured Nepal reached 148/8 in their allotted 20 overs.

Chasing 149, West Indies began remarkably as Kyle Mayers found the boundary off the first ball. However, Nepal bounced back quickly, as they picked wickets at regular intervals. Rohit Paudel himself chipped in with the ball, dismissing Jewel Andrew, while Lalit Rajbanshi and Airee kept the pressure on the opposition.

With the Windies losing four wickets by the halfway mark, Keacy Carty’s run-out and Holder’s dismissal for 5 further put them behind in the game. Although Bidaisee (22 off 25), Fabian Allen (19 off 14), and skipper Hosein (18 off 9) attempted to put on a rescue act, Nepal held their nerve.

Karan KC dismissed Hosein, leaving Allen with an improbable 28 required off the last over. He managed two boundaries but fell on the final delivery, sealing a famous 19-run win for Nepal.  Meanwhile, captain Paudel earned the Player of the Match award for his all-around contribution.