In a memorable moment at the Sharjah stadium, fans clad in red and blue celebrated as their team, Nepal, sealed a record-breaking T20I series win over the West Indies. The comprehensive 90-run victory not only provided Nepal with a commanding 2-0 series advantage with one game remaining but also represents a significant milestone – one of the most dominant performances by an Associate nation against a Full Member in T20 history.
Opting to bat first, Nepal compiled a competitive 173 for 6, built upon a robust 100-run opening stand between Aasif Sheikh (68* off 47) and Sundeep Jora (63 off 39). Although their initial ten overs were relatively slow, the duo accelerated in the second half, hitting nine sixes collectively. While Akeal Hosein bowled well for the West Indies, taking 2 wickets for 21 runs and momentarily injecting hope, the Caribbean side never truly recovered.
The West Indies, in response, succumbed to the pressure applied by Nepal’s accurate bowling and exceptional fielding. Reduced to 16 for 2 during the powerplay, they failed to build any momentum. Jason Holder’s 21 was the lone innings of substance, as the rest of the batting lineup struggled. Medium pacer Mohammad Aadil Alam, playing his first match for Nepal since 2022, had an impressive showing with the ball, taking 4 wickets for 24 runs. Kushal Bhurtel added three wickets to his earlier contributions, while Gulsan Jha amazed everyone with two outstanding catches.
The West Indies were ultimately bowled out for just 83, their lowest score ever against an Associate team and their sixth-lowest overall in T20Is. They also suffered their worst defeat against an Associate, a record highlighting Nepal’s progress as they work towards the 2026 T20 World Cup qualifiers. This achievement came despite the absence of their star spinner, Sandeep Lamichhane, who was unavailable for the series due to personal reasons.
