129/9 (20.0)
CR : 6.45
148/8 (20.0)
CR : 7.40
Nepal won by 19 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
Rohit Paudel
1/2038(35)
11:38 PM IST, 10:08 PM local time: Nepal continues to witness historic things in September 2025! Tonight, they have pipped West Indies in the latter's strongest format and thereby registered their first ever win over an ICC full member in international cricket.
Don't be surprised if people in Kathmandu take it to the streets once again, this time to celebrate a win that one day, the ardent cricket lovers of the nation will be telling their grandchildren about.
A wise person once said, "if you can't do great things, do little things in a great way." And that is exactly what Nepal did today. So often, their batters knocked the ball to a fielder in the deep and came scampering back to steal the second run. Then, their fielders moved around swiftly to prevent West Indies from doing the same. In the end, all those things added up and created a gulf of 19 runs between the two teams. That is despite the three dropped catches and a wicket off a no-ball. Though, in all fairness, the runouts that Dipendra Airee and Kushal Bhurtel effected more than made up for those fumbles.
Lets not forget the contributions of Kushal Malla (21-ball-30) and Gulshan Jha (16-ball-22). In an innings which otherwise moved like an old, rusty bicycle on a muddy road, those two cameos provided the impetus that helped them get to a defendable score. Then, an excellent bowling performance, despite losing Nandan Yadav to an injury, helped them contain West Indies. The spinners led the charge. Between overs 7 to 15, they let the ball cross the boundary only twice. Seamer Karan KC, who finished with 1/17 off his 3 overs — first two bowled in the powerplay and the last one at the death — was equally impressive.
For West Indies, it is hard to think of positives — especially with the bat. Yes, they had four debutants in the XI today, but despite that, it is a result that will haunt their fans for a long time to come. Thinking of Akeal Hosein's tidy spell up top, Jason Holder's 4-wickets and Navin Bidaisee good returns in the first half of the game won't numb the pain of this loss.
Don't be surprised if people in Kathmandu take it to the streets once again, this time to celebrate a win that one day, the ardent cricket lovers of the nation will be telling their grandchildren about.
A wise person once said, "if you can't do great things, do little things in a great way." And that is exactly what Nepal did today. So often, their batters knocked the ball to a fielder in the deep and came scampering back to steal the second run. Then, their fielders moved around swiftly to prevent West Indies from doing the same. In the end, all those things added up and created a gulf of 19 runs between the two teams. That is despite the three dropped catches and a wicket off a no-ball. Though, in all fairness, the runouts that Dipendra Airee and Kushal Bhurtel effected more than made up for those fumbles.
Lets not forget the contributions of Kushal Malla (21-ball-30) and Gulshan Jha (16-ball-22). In an innings which otherwise moved like an old, rusty bicycle on a muddy road, those two cameos provided the impetus that helped them get to a defendable score. Then, an excellent bowling performance, despite losing Nandan Yadav to an injury, helped them contain West Indies. The spinners led the charge. Between overs 7 to 15, they let the ball cross the boundary only twice. Seamer Karan KC, who finished with 1/17 off his 3 overs — first two bowled in the powerplay and the last one at the death — was equally impressive.
For West Indies, it is hard to think of positives — especially with the bat. Yes, they had four debutants in the XI today, but despite that, it is a result that will haunt their fans for a long time to come. Thinking of Akeal Hosein's tidy spell up top, Jason Holder's 4-wickets and Navin Bidaisee good returns in the first half of the game won't numb the pain of this loss.
Kushal Bhurtel: "I am feeling really happy. West Indies is one of the toughest side in T20 cricket. Whatever I get with bat or ball, I love doing it. It feels really good. Talking about Nepal, it is very critical back there. We will give lots of people in Nepal and Dubai as well with this win.
Credit goes to all the bowlers, they bowled really well. We knew 140-150 will be enough against the unexperienced Windies side. It is the first win for Nepal against a Test nation so really happy."
Credit goes to all the bowlers, they bowled really well. We knew 140-150 will be enough against the unexperienced Windies side. It is the first win for Nepal against a Test nation so really happy."
The Nepal players are strolling across the ground in acknowledgement of the crowd!
Instances of West Indies losing vs Non-Full Members team in T20Is:
By 6 wickets vs Ireland at Kingston, 2014
By 6 runs vs Afghanistan at Nagpur, 2016
By 42 runs vs Scotland at Hobart, 2022
By 19 runs vs Nepal at Sharjah, TONIGHT*
By 6 wickets vs Ireland at Kingston, 2014
By 6 runs vs Afghanistan at Nagpur, 2016
By 42 runs vs Scotland at Hobart, 2022
By 19 runs vs Nepal at Sharjah, TONIGHT*
Akeal Hosein (West Indies Captain): "Both sides played good cricket. Unfortunately we didn't work enough to go over the line. It was a decent score, good pitch. I thought we gave away 15 runs too much but we were confident to get over the line. They also fielded well. The 2 run outs were crucial.
They have got the talent and skill. It's about going out and executing it. We definitely need to setup a platform. That will give the guys a chance to come and finish the game."
They have got the talent and skill. It's about going out and executing it. We definitely need to setup a platform. That will give the guys a chance to come and finish the game."
Player of the Match: Rohit Paudel
Rohit Paudel (Player of the Match and Nepal captain): "It is feeling great. A long wait to beat a Test playing country. And it has come in a historic series we hosted. I think 150-160 was par here. We were looking around that score. We have done better. We matched West Indies 80-90%. The spinners were brilliant.
I want to dedicated this award to those who lost their lives. The last month has not been great. But things are getting back. Thank you to all the fans. This is the beginning and there is a lot more to come.
Coming to the series, the mindset was very clear. If we are coming here, we are coming to win the series. After this performance, there is a high chance of winning the series. But we will stay grounded and focus what comes next."
I want to dedicated this award to those who lost their lives. The last month has not been great. But things are getting back. Thank you to all the fans. This is the beginning and there is a lot more to come.
Coming to the series, the mindset was very clear. If we are coming here, we are coming to win the series. After this performance, there is a high chance of winning the series. But we will stay grounded and focus what comes next."
That's it from our coverage of the series opener between Nepal and West Indies. A terrific head start for Nepal as they defeat a Test playing nation for the first time in any format of the game. Ninaad Dixit here signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Darpan Tikiya and scorers Paras Yadav & Manish Bishnoi. Stay tuned for more action from around the world.