Historic Win for Nepal: First-Ever Victory Over a Full Member as They Beat West Indies in T20I
Nepal etched their name in the history books with a landmark 19-run victory over West Indies in the first T20I of their bilateral series at Sharjah. This win marks Nepal’s first-ever triumph against a Full Member nation in international cricket — a momentous milestone in the country’s cricketing journey.
Led by Rohit Paudel, Nepal delivered a complete all-round performance, outplaying the two-time T20 World Cup champions in all departments. Batting, bowling, and fielding came together seamlessly as Nepal claimed their most significant victory to date.
A Competitive Total Built on Grit
After being asked to bat first by West Indies captain Akeal Hosein, Nepal found themselves in early trouble, losing both openers inside the first four overs. However, captain Rohit Paudel (38 off 35) and Kushal Malla (30 off 26) steadied the innings with a 58-run stand.
Malla injected momentum with powerful strokes, including two sixes, while Paudel anchored the innings. Contributions from the middle order pushed Nepal to a competitive total of 148 for 8. For West Indies, Jason Holder starred with the ball, claiming 4 for 20, while debutant Navin Bidaisee impressed with figures of 3 for 29.
Nepal’s Bowlers and Fielders Seal the Deal
Chasing 149, West Indies started with promise as Kyle Mayers hit a boundary off the first ball. But Nepal struck back quickly, with Kushal Bhurtel’s sharp direct hit sending Mayers back in the second over.
Despite a few sparks from debutant Ackeem Auguste, West Indies struggled against Nepal’s disciplined spin attack. Spinners Lalit Rajbanshi and Rohit Paudel tightened the screws in the middle overs, conceding just 16 runs between overs 7 to 10 and picking up key wickets.
A spectacular run-out from Dipendra Singh Airee dismissed Keacy Carty, and from there, the West Indies innings unraveled. Holder, their most experienced batter, managed just 5 runs before holing out. Although Bidaisee, Fabian Allen, and Hosein tried to mount a late challenge, they could not keep up with the rising required rate.
Even two dropped catches in the 18th over couldn’t derail Nepal. Karan KC returned to dismiss Hosein in the penultimate over, effectively ending West Indies' hopes. The Caribbean side finished on 129 for 9, falling short by 19 runs.
A Historic Milestone
This was not just Nepal's first match against West Indies, but also their first-ever bilateral series against a Full Member nation. Their only previous win over a future Full Member came in 2014, when they beat Afghanistan — then still an Associate nation.
This victory is a defining moment for Nepali cricket, showcasing their rapid growth on the international stage and sending a clear message that they are ready to compete with the best.
Score Summary:
Nepal: 148/8 in 20 overs (Paudel 38, Malla 30; Holder 4-20, Bidaisee 3-29)
West Indies: 129/9 in 20 overs (Bidaisee 22; Bhurtel 2-17, Yadav 1-6)
Result: Nepal won by 19 runs
Player of the Match: [Not mentioned, but likely Rohit Paudel or Kushal Bhurtel]
This victory marks a giant leap forward for Nepal, not only in terms of results but also belief. With more such performances, the Himalayan nation is fast becoming a rising force in international cricket.