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Sharjah, Sept 28: Nepal pulled off a stunning 19-run win over West Indies in their first-ever T20I clash, marking the country’s first victory against a Test-playing nation. The former T20 World Cup champions, winners in 2012 and 2016, fell short while chasing 149 runs, managing only 129 for nine in their 20 overs. With this result, Nepal leads the three-match series 1-0.

West Indies’ batting never settled after losing opener Kyle Mayers to a direct hit from Kushal Bhurtel in the second over. Kalim Aguste, Javelle Andrew, KC Carty, and Jason Holder all fell cheaply as the visitors slumped to 94 for seven in the 17th over. Captain Akeal Hosein and Fabian Allen tried to mount a late fight, but with 30 needed off the final two overs, Karan KC’s miserly 19th over sealed the result.

Bhurtel was superb with the ball, taking two wickets for 17 in his four overs. Dipendra Singh Airee, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Lalit Rajbanshi, and skipper Rohit Paudel grabbed one wicket each.

Earlier, after being put in to bat at Sharjah, Nepal posted 148 for eight. Captain Rohit Paudel top-scored with 38 off 35 balls, including three fours and a six, while Kushal Malla made 30 and Gulshan Jha added 22. Paudel and Malla stitched a vital 58-run stand after Nepal had slipped to 12 for two inside the fourth over.

West Indies’ Jason Holder was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets for 20. Spinner Naveen Bidaisee claimed three for 29, and captain Hosein kept things tight with one for 18 in his four overs.

Paudel was named Player of the Match for his all-round effort and dedicated the award to youths killed in Nepal’s recent Gen Z protests, calling the win “a new beginning.” He credited Karan KC, Sompal Kami, and the spinners for keeping their nerve under pressure and thanked the fans who turned up at Sharjah.

The second match will be played Monday, followed by the series decider on Tuesday.

People’s News Monitoring Service