Nepal created history in Sharjah by sealing their first-ever T20I series victory over a Full Member nation, thrashing the West Indies by 90 runs in the second match to take an unassailable 2–0 lead in the three-match series. The emphatic result turned the third game into a dead rubber and marked one of the greatest moments in Nepal’s cricket journey.
Batting first, Nepal posted 173 for 6 in their 20 overs after recovering from early setbacks. The innings was anchored by a superb 122-run stand between wicketkeeper Aasif Sheikh and Sundeep Jora. Sheikh finished unbeaten on 68 from 47 deliveries, while Jora blasted 63 off 39 balls, striking five sixes as Nepal accelerated after a cautious start. Their partnership carried Nepal from a precarious 14 for 2 to a commanding position, ensuring momentum was firmly on their side.
Akeal Hosein, the West Indies captain, was the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 21, keeping the batters honest during the powerplay. Quickfire contributions later in the innings, including Mohammad Aadil Alam’s 11 off 5 balls, lifted the total beyond 170. It was a score that proved far too much for the two-time T20 World Cup champions.
In reply, West Indies collapsed to 83 all out in 17.1 overs, recording their sixth-lowest total in the format and the lowest by a Full Member against an Associate nation. Only Jason Holder offered any real resistance, making 21 off 15, as Nepal’s bowlers dominated with discipline and guile.
Medium pacer Alam capped his day with career-best figures of 4 for 24 in his first appearance for Nepal since 2022, while Kushal Bhurtel claimed 3 for 16 to mop up the tail. Dipendra Singh Airee and Lalit Rajbanshi also chipped in, with Nepal’s fielding matching their bowling intensity. Gulsan Jha stole the show in the field, producing two stunning catches, including a diving effort to remove Kyle Mayers and another sharp take to dismiss Holder.
West Indies never recovered after losing two wickets inside the powerplay. Airee bowled Jewel Andrew for 2, and Bhurtel’s sharp catch accounted for Keacy Carty for just 1. By the sixth over, West Indies had crawled to 16 for 2, already under immense pressure. Mistimed shots, poor shot selection and Nepal’s clever use of slower balls and blockhole deliveries ensured the visitors found no rhythm. Ackeem Auguste and Amir Jangoo briefly showed intent, but Alam struck in consecutive overs to leave them stranded.
Earlier, Nepal’s batting performance highlighted their growing maturity on the international stage. Despite a cautious first 10 overs that saw no sixes, Sheikh and Jora’s stand gave them the platform to launch in the second half of the innings. Nepal hit nine sixes in total, with Jora responsible for five of them. Sheikh held his nerve to carry his bat, ensuring West Indies were left chasing a stiff target.
The result carried even greater significance as Nepal achieved it without their star spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, who has missed both games of the series citing personal reasons. Coach Stuart Law praised his side’s all-round effort, stressing that the win shows the depth Nepal have built. The timing is also crucial, coming just weeks before the T20 World Cup qualifiers, where Nepal will now carry the confidence of beating a Full Member nation.
