Nepal created history on Monday by winning their first-ever bilateral series against a Test-playing nation, defeating the West Indies in Sharjah. The emphatic 90-run victory in the second T20I sealed the three-match series 2-0, giving Nepal an unassailable lead and a landmark moment in their cricketing journey.
Fresh from their 19-run win in the opening match, Nepal carried the momentum into the second game and dominated both with the bat and the ball. The win also marked the largest ever victory recorded by an Associate team over a Full Member nation.
Batting brilliance from Sheikh and Jora
Nepal posted a competitive total of 173/6 in their 20 overs, anchored by opener Aasif Sheikh’s unbeaten 68 and a fluent 63 from middle-order batter Sundeep Jora. The pair combined for a crucial 100-run stand for the fourth wicket, rescuing Nepal after early wickets and ensuring scoreboard pressure on the West Indies.
West Indies crumble under pressure
In reply, the West Indies batting line-up collapsed dramatically. Nepal’s Mohammad Aadil Alam was the star with the ball, picking up four wickets as the Caribbean side was bundled out for just 83. The 90-run win was not only emphatic but also a reflection of Nepal’s growing stature in world cricket.
Captain Paudel hails historic achievement
Captain Rohit Paudel expressed immense pride in the team’s performance after the match.
“We are very happy. It took a lot to win against a Test-playing country and, after two days, winning a bilateral series feels really great,” Paudel said.
He emphasised the importance of the victory for Nepal’s cricketing ambitions. “This was a very important series for us to showcase our cricket and talent to the world. The way we’ve been playing the last two or three years, lots of eyes are on us. We want to continue this way and play more against Test-playing nations.”
Focus shifts to World Cup qualifiers
Looking ahead, Paudel said the team’s motivation was to aim for a series clean sweep while keeping their eyes on next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia-Pacific Regional Final. Nepal will be among three sides vying for qualification to the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
“We want to finish the series on a high note. The motivation is to complete a clean sweep but for that, we have to start again from the beginning. We want to carry this momentum into the qualifiers, and we want to qualify for the 2026 World Cup,” he added.
Conclusion
The historic series win has given Nepal not just confidence but also international recognition as a rising force in cricket. With a chance to complete a 3-0 clean sweep on Tuesday in Sharjah, Nepal will look to build momentum for the upcoming qualifiers and strengthen their case as one of the most promising Associate nations in the game.