Nepal Stuns West Indies to Clinch Historic First Win Over a Test-Playing Nation in Sharjah

Sharjah – In a thrilling encounter that will go down in Nepalese cricket history, Nepal defeated the West Indies by 19 runs in the first T20I of their bilateral series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, registering their first-ever win over a Test-playing nation.

Batting first, Nepal posted a competitive total of 148/8 in 20 overs, anchored by a gritty 38 off 35 balls by captain Rohit Paudel, who also contributed with the ball, taking 1/20 in 3 overs. His all-round performance earned him the Player of the Match award.

Chasing 149, the West Indies faltered under disciplined Nepalese bowling and sharp fielding, managing only 129/9 in their full quota of 20 overs. Despite cameos from Akeal Hosein (18 off 9) and Navin Bidaisee (22 off 25), the Caribbean side never fully recovered from early setbacks.

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Nepal’s bowling unit delivered under pressure, with Kushal Bhurtel starring by taking 2 crucial wickets for 17 runs in 4 overs, including the dismissals of Jason Holder and Bidaisee. Dipendra Singh Airee, Lalit Rajbanshi, Karan KC, and Nandan Yadav all chipped in with a wicket each, showcasing Nepal’s bowling depth.

The West Indies’ innings unraveled quickly after the dismissal of opener Kyle Mayers, who was run out for 5. Nepal’s sharp fielding led to two run-outs, and their spinners applied constant pressure, stifling the middle order.

This landmark victory marks a turning point for Nepal, who are gradually asserting themselves on the international stage. It is the first time the Himalayan nation has defeated a Full Member side in any format, a feat celebrated widely across the Nepalese cricket community and fans around the world.

The two teams will meet again in Sharjah for the remainder of the series, with Nepal now holding a historic 1-0 lead.