Nepal scripted history in Sharjah on Saturday, September 27, by defeating the two-times World Cup winner West Indies by 19 runs in the first T20I of the series. It further marked their first-ever victory against a Full Member nation in international cricket. It was a landmark night that will forever be etched in the memory of Nepalese cricket, symbolizing their growth and resilience on the global stage.

In a contest that saw fluctuating momentum, Nepal’s spirited performance with both bat and ball outshone the Caribbean giants. Rohit Poudel led from the front with a fine all-round display, guiding his team in crunch moments. His composed knock with the bat and crucial breakthrough with the ball earned him the Player of the Match award. The match also saw Nepal’s bowlers stand tall in the face of pressure, defending a modest target with grit and discipline. This victory handed Nepal a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, sparking celebrations among their supporters worldwide.

Rohit Paudel shines as Nepal sets competitive total against West Indies

Captain Paudel was once again the backbone of Nepal’s batting as his 38 runs off 35 deliveries held the innings together after early setbacks. Nepal lost both openers cheaply, but Paudel’s timely partnerships with Kushal Malla (30 off 21) and Gulsan jha (22 off 16) stabilized the innings. The team scored at just over seven runs per over, ending at 148/8 in their 20 overs. While wickets fell at regular intervals, the intent to keep the scoreboard moving was evident throughout.

Paudel struck three boundaries and a six, while Malla’s aggressive strokeplay kept the Caribbean bowlers under pressure. The lower order chipped in with handy cameos, including a quickfire 7 off 2 balls from Nandan yadavwhich added valuable runs at the death. For the West Indies, Jason Holder was the standout bowler, claiming 4/20 with his clever variations. Navin bidaise also impressed on debut, picking 3/29, but the rest of the bowling lacked consistency. Nepal’s total of 148 looked competitive but certainly not unassailable against a power-packed West Indies batting line-up.

Nepal bowlers deliver knockout punch in historic defense in 1st T20I

Defending 149, Nepal’s bowlers displayed remarkable composure and discipline to restrict West Indies to 129/9 in their 20 overs. Kushal bhurthertwho had a quiet outing with the bat, made a strong impact with the ball, grabbing two key wickets including Holder and Bidaisee. Lalit Rajbanshi and Paudel chipped in with a wicket each, while young Nandan struck in his only over to add to the Caribbean woes.

The turning point came in the middle overs when West Indies slumped from 53/3 to 76/6, courtesy of sharp fielding and tight bowling. Despite resistance from Bidaisee (22) and Fabian Allen (19), Nepal kept striking at crucial intervals to deny any momentum. Captain Akeal Hosein’s quickfire 18 off 9 raised hopes of a late comeback, but Karan KC dismissed him to all but seal the game. Our sompal proved expensive, but the rest of the attack made up with disciplined spells. Ultimately, West Indies’ famed power-hitting was neutralized by Nepal’s tactical brilliance and relentless energy in the field. The 19-run victory marked one of Nepal’s most memorable wins in international cricket, a performance that will be remembered as a defining moment for their T20I journey.

Here’s how fans reacted: