Sharjah: Nepal scripted history in Sharjah on Saturday by defeating the West Indies by 19 runs, registering their first-ever victory over a Full Member nation across formats. While they had previously beaten Afghanistan in 2014, Afghanistan was still an Associate side at the time, making this win against the two-time T20 World Cup champions even more significant.

The match marked Nepal’s maiden T20I outing against the West Indies and the beginning of their first bilateral series against a Full Member team. Rising to the occasion, the Rohit Paudel-led side displayed discipline with both bat and ball, backed by sharp fielding that sealed a memorable upset.

Nepal’s fighting total

After being asked to bat first, Nepal lost both openers early. However, skipper Rohit Paudel steadied the innings with Kushal Malla, whose aggressive strokeplay shifted momentum. Malla’s clean sixes off Fabian Allen and Obed McCoy energised the crowd as the duo built a crucial 58-run stand.

Though Jason Holder’s triple strike in the penultimate over dented the momentum, Nepal still managed to post a competitive 148/8. Contributions came from across the order, with six different batters clearing the ropes.

West Indies falter in chase

Chasing 149, the West Indies got off to a bright start when Kyle Mayers struck a boundary, but the innings soon unravelled. A brilliant direct hit from Kushal Bhurtel removed Mayers, while Dipendra Singh Airee’s sharp fielding accounted for Keacy Carty.

On a pitch that made strokeplay tricky, West Indies’ middle order failed to find rhythm. Even Holder, known for his resilience, managed only 5 runs before falling cheaply. Skipper Akeal Hosein briefly raised hopes but was dismissed by Karan KC at a crucial stage.

With Fabian Allen left requiring 28 off the final over, Nepal comfortably closed out the game, restricting the West Indies well short of the target.

Team effort seals famous win

Nepal’s triumph was built on an all-round performance. Six bowlers shared wickets, with disciplined lines and lengths stifling the opposition. Their fielding — highlighted by direct hits and smart ground work — further tilted the contest in their favour.

The win was more than just numbers on the scoreboard; it was a statement of intent from Nepal’s cricketers, who are steadily carving out a reputation on the global stage.

A defining moment for Nepal cricket

Although Nepal are not part of the Asia Cup 2025, the result in Sharjah is being hailed as a watershed moment in their cricketing journey. For a side often seen as underdogs, outplaying the mighty West Indies in all departments underlined their growing competitiveness and ambition.

The victory will likely inspire a new generation of cricketers in Nepal, proving that with commitment and teamwork, they can challenge established cricketing giants.