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On September 30, Rohit Paudel-led Nepal scripted history as they beat two-time T20 World Cup champions West Indies by a huge margin of 90 runs, proving that the win in opening T20I wasn't a fluke. Known for their power-hitting, West Indies were bowled out for 83 from 17.1 overs in the run chase of 174. The nightmarish start to Akeal Hosein's T20I captaincy career led to him saying that the players need to look themselves in the mirror and ask if they are cut out for the international cricket.
“For us, it's just about understanding really fast that this is international cricket. If you try to benchmark yourself here and can't match the level, then you need to look in the mirror and ask yourself if you're really international material,” Hosein said about the learnings after Nepal took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
Hosein blames slow powerplay for loss
At Sharjah Cricket Stadium, West Indies bowlers lacked the edge as Nepal posted 173/6 on the back of half-centuries from Aasif Sheikh and Sundeep Jora. But Hosein feels that it is the batters who faltered in the powerplay overs losing two early wickets and not putting enough on the board. Jewel Andrew scored two runs from 11 balls whereas Kyle Mayers scored just six runs from 16 balls which led to required run rate getting out of the grasp.
“I thought it was okay, but kudos to their batters. I expected our bowlers to be a little more economical. When you're chasing 174, you've got your work cut out in the powerplay. Coming out of the powerplay 16 for 2, you're way behind -- it's always going to be difficult on this track. Their bowlers knew the conditions inside out. They're brilliant in the field as well. You get two run-outs in the first game, it's going to hamper any team,” the left-arm spinner said.
Hosein lauds Nepal team
Hosein also doffed his hat to the 18th-ranked Nepal team who outclassed them in UAE.
“These guys know their players inside out, they've played together (for long). When you come up against a team that's been together for so long… coming on this tour, it's not about names or past stats, it's about what you do now, how you adapt to the conditions,” said the 32-year-old.
West Indies will look to end their tour on a high as they go up against Nepal on September 30 at the same venue.
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