Amidst the atmosphere of the Sharjah stadium, Nepal’s supporters celebrated their team’s remarkable series win over the West Indies, a record-breaking achievement in the T20I format. The resounding 90-run victory not only secured a 2-0 series lead for Nepal with a match to spare but also stands out as one of the most lopsided contests between an Associate and a Full Member nation in the history of T20 cricket.
Nepal, after being put in to bat, amassed a competitive 173 for 6, underpinned by a strong 100-run opening stand between Aasif Sheikh (68* off 47) and Sundeep Jora (63 off 39). After a subdued start, the openers accelerated, showcasing their batting prowess by hitting nine sixes between them. While Akeal Hosein of West Indies took 2 for 21 and offered a brief glimmer of hope, the Caribbean team could never find their rhythm.
In response, the West Indies succumbed to the pressure exerted by Nepal’s accurate bowling and outstanding fielding. They stumbled to 16 for 2 during the powerplay and never recovered. Jason Holder’s 21 was the only notable contribution in a batting lineup that struggled to adapt. Medium pacer Mohammad Aadil Alam, playing his first match for Nepal since 2022, made a significant impact, taking 4 for 24. Kushal Bhurtel complemented his earlier fielding efforts with three wickets, and Gulsan Jha amazed everyone with two spectacular catches.
The West Indies were bowled out for a mere 83 runs, marking their lowest score against an Associate team and their sixth-lowest T20I score overall. This defeat also set a record for the worst loss suffered by a Full Member against an Associate side, a testament to Nepal’s improvement as they prepare for the 2026 T20 World Cup qualifiers. Notably, Nepal achieved this without their star spinner, Sandeep Lamichhane, who was unavailable for the entire series for personal reasons.