Nepal script landmark T20I win over West Indies

Nepal etched their name into cricketing history with a landmark 19-run victory over West Indies in the first T20I at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium yesterday. 

It was Nepal's maiden win against an ICC Full Member nation, sparking wild celebrations among the travelling fans and marking a new high point for their cricketing journey.

They had beaten Afghanistan in a T20I in 2014, but Afghanistan were an Associate back then.

Put in to bat, Nepal recovered from a shaky start to post 148 for 8 in their 20 overs. Skipper Rohit Paudel held the innings together with a steady 38 off 35 balls after openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh fell cheaply. Paudel was well supported by Kushal Malla (30 off 21), the pair adding 58 runs for the third wicket to steady the innings. Later cameos from Gulsan Jha (22 off 16) and Dipendra Singh Airee (17 off 19) pushed Nepal to a competitive total despite Jason Holder's superb 4 for 20 and debutant Navin Bidaisee's 3 for 29.

In reply, West Indies faltered from the outset. Danger man Kyle Mayers was run out early by a sharp Bhurtel throw, setting the tone for a disciplined Nepalese defence. Debutants Amir Jangoo (19), Ackeem Auguste (15), and Keacy Carty (16) got starts but none could carry on. With the spinners tightening the screws, wickets fell at regular intervals. Bhurtel added to his impact with the ball, returning figures of 2 for 17, while every bowler chipped in with crucial breakthroughs.

Despite some late resistance from Fabian Allen (19 off 14) and skipper Akeal Hosein (18 off 9), West Indies finished on 129 for 9, well short of their target. The two-time world champions never found momentum against a Nepal side that outplayed them in batting, bowling, and fielding.

The significance of the win goes beyond just the scoreline. This was Nepal's first-ever bilateral T20I series against a Full Member, and they made it memorable by toppling the Caribbean side in their very first meeting. Six of Nepal's batters cleared the ropes, six of their bowlers took a wicket, and the team's fielding effort stood out in a complete performance.

With the victory, Nepal lead the three-match series 1-0, with the second T20I scheduled for September 29 in Sharjah.