Follow UsIt was a historic day for Nepal as they defeated a full-member for the first time on September 27 (Saturday) in Sharjah. They defeated two-time T20 World Cup winners West Indies by 19 runs to register their first victory over a full-member nation.
They came agonisingly close in the T20 World Cup 2024, but were unable to get over the line, but on Saturday, they did just that.
Nepal did well to put up 148/8 on the board on a slow and sluggish Sharjah wicket, with skipper Rohit Paudel top-scoring with 38 (35). Kushal Malla (30 off 21) was the only other player to get into the 30s, but a couple of big blows from Gulsan Jha (22 off 16) took Nepal past 140 in the end.
In reply, West Indies never really got going, as they found themselves at 56/4 at the halfway stage, with 93 more required of the last 10 overs, and that's when Nepal bowled a few tight overs to completely choke their opponents.
The match seemed to be done and dusted when West Indies needed 70 more from the last five overs with just four wickets in hand. Despite the best efforts from Faiban Allen (19 off 14) and skipper Akeal Hosein (18 off 9), the West Indies fell well short.
West Indies will hope to pull one back in the second T20I in Sharjah on September 29 (Monday).