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Nepal has created history by defeating the West Indies by a massive 90 runs in the second T20I at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah on Monday. With that win, Nepal takes a 2-0 unassailable lead in the three-match T20I series against West Indies. This is Nepal’s first-ever bilateral series victory against a full ICC member and a major milestone in their cricketing journey.
After opting to bat, Nepal posted a strong total of 173 for 6 in 20 overs, thanks to brilliant half-centuries from Aasif Sheikh and Sundeep Jora. Aasif anchored the innings with a steady 68 off 47 balls, while Jora played the aggressor’s role, smashing 63 off just 39 balls, helping Nepal build a competitive total.
The West Indies bowlers had some moments, with Akeal Hosein picking up 2 for 21 in his four overs, and Kyle Mayers also grabbing two wickets. But the Caribbean side struggled to contain the Nepalese batters in the middle overs.
While chasing, Nepal’s bowlers kept the pressure on with smart variations, mixing slower balls with full deliveries into the blockhole. The West Indies, lacking experience, kept mistiming their shots on a tricky pitch, where only Jason Holder (21 off 15) showed any confidence. The total of 83 all out was the sixth-lowest T20I score in West Indies history, and the 90-run loss equals their fourth-largest defeat by runs.
The star with the ball was Mohammad Aadil Alam, who finished with 4 wickets for 24 runs. Nepal’s brilliant fielding made a huge difference. Gulsan Jha, just 19 years old, took a spectacular diving catch at sweeper cover in the eighth over to remove Kyle Mayers (6 off 16), raising the energy even higher.
Things only got worse for the West Indies from there. Wickets kept falling, and Nepal’s fielders blocked every gap, diving and chasing down everything. Alam picked up two more key wickets, Ackeem Auguste (17) and Amir Jangoo (16), in consecutive overs. West Indies slipped to 63 for 5, with the required run rate climbing above 13.
Kushal Bhurtel added to his earlier heroics by cleaning up the tail with three wickets. The final hope for West Indies, Jason Holder, was dismissed by Lalit Rajbanshi in the 17th over, thanks again to another brilliant catch from Jha, his second of the match.
Soon after, Bhurtel tossed up a legbreak that was once again caught near the boundary. It was that kind of day where the West Indies kept finding fielders instead of clearing them, and Nepal never let the pressure drop.
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