Nepal cricket has pulled off a moment that will be remembered for years. In Sharjah on Monday, they hammered the West Indies by 90 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in their three-match T20I series — their first-ever series victory over a Test-playing nation.
Batting Set the Stage
Nepal batted first and made 173 for 6, with opener Aasif Sheikh anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 68 and Sundeep Jora smashing 63. Their century stand for the fourth wicket gave Nepal the perfect platform.
It wasn’t flashy cricket — it was composed, calculated batting, something Nepal had often struggled with in pressure matches. This time, they delivered.
Bowling Collapse for the Windies
Chasing 174, the West Indies never looked settled. Wickets tumbled one after another, and before anyone could process what was happening, the scoreboard read 83 all out in 17.1 overs.
The stars with the ball? Mohammad Aadil Alam’s 4 for 24 and Kushal Bhurtel’s 3 for 16 in a fiery spell of leg spin. They dismantled the Windies’ middle order and left the Caribbean side shell-shocked.
Record-Breaking Victory
The 90-run margin is now the largest win ever recorded by an Associate nation against a Full Member in T20 internationals. For a side like Nepal, still finding its feet on the global stage, this wasn’t just a win — it was a statement.
What They Said
Nepal’s captain Rohit Paudel couldn’t hide his pride:
“This win means a lot. The boys showed great character. It’s not just about beating a big team, it’s about believing we belong here.”
West Indies skipper Akeal Hosein, on the other hand, admitted his side was “outplayed in every department” and hinted at serious questions about where his team stands in international cricket.
Why It Matters
This is more than just a series win. For Nepal, it’s proof that their rise in world cricket is real, not just a flash in the pan. For the West Indies, once giants of the shortest format, it’s another humbling low point in a string of disappointing performances.
What’s Next
With one game left, Nepal have the chance to complete a historic clean sweep. And as the cricketing world takes notice, one thing’s certain: Nepal aren’t underdogs anymore.
