Nepal cricket team stunned West Indies with a 19-run historic win at the Sharjah Cricket stadium on September 27. This is Nepal's first-ever win against a Test-playing nation in international cricket. The win came after the Gen Z protestors' forced a change in leadership in Nepal. Following the win over Akeal Hosein's men, skipper Rohit Paudel dedicated his 'Player of the match' award to the protestors who lost their lives in the revolution.
“Want to dedicate this award to the martyrs back home who participated in the protest," Paudel said in the post-match presentation.
“The last month has not been great for us, so if we can give a little bit of happiness to the people of Nepal, I think that would be great. It’s just the beginning, a lot more to come," he added.
Paudel scored 38 runs from 35 balls, including three fours and a six. Nepal posted 148/8 after Hosein put them to bat first. Paudel was impressive with the ball as well, conceding 20 runs from three overs and picking up the wicket of Jewel Andrew.
Close to par total takes Nepal home
The captain felt that 150-160 was par score at the venue and the feeling of beating the two-time T20 World Cup Champions is great.
“It’s feeling great, a long wait to beat a Test-playing country, that too it has come in a series we have hosted in the UAE. 150-160 was par here, looking at the previous series here, teams were winning after scoring 150-160," he said.
“80-90 per cent, we have matched our skills, the spinners were great today, as well as the experienced Karan and Sompal," the 23-year-old added.
This is the third-lowest total defended by Pakistan in T20Is. Meanwhile, it is West Indies' second defeat against an associate nation. In T20 World Cup 2022 first round, they lost to Scotland.
Hosein blames two run outs for loss
Meanwhile, Hosein rued to run outs which changed the complexion of the game.
“Thought it was a decent score, good pitch, maybe we gave away 15 runs too much, having said that we were very confident in chasing this down. They fielded well and they got two run-outs and those things break the back of a batting team,” Hosein said after losing to Nepal on his T20I captaincy debut.
West Indies will have a chance to level the series when the two teams go up against each other on September 29 at the same venue.