The Rohit Paudel-led Nepal on September 27 scripted history as they beat West Indies' second string side by 19 runs at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Nepal registered their first ever win against a Test-playing nation. The historic win came in the 180th international appearance.
Bhurtel’s patient knock, cameos help Nepal post fighting total
In the first T20I of the three-T20I series, visiting captain Akeal Hosein chose to bowl first. In his second over, he got the wicket of Khushal Bhurtel, getting him stumped for a single-digit score. In the next over, Jason Holder got Aasif Sheikh caught at mid-on. In the sixth over, Paudel hit two fours but Nepal could manage to post 34/2 in powerplay overs. In the ninth over, Kushal Malla hit the first six of the innings. He hit another off Obed McCoy. At the halfway stage, Nepal were 68/2.
Navin Bidaisee broke the partnership with Malla's wicket. He scored 30 runs from 21 balls. On-debut, Bidaisee got the wicket of skipper Paudel as well. He scored 38 runs from 35 balls. Gulsan Jha and Dipendra Singh accelerated. Bdaisee in his last over got the wicket of Gulsan Jha who contributed with a 16-ball 22 cameo. In the penultimate over, Holder struck thrice. Dipendra departed for a 19-ball 17. Sundeep Jora and Karan KC were dismissed off consecutive deliveries. In the last over, Nandan Yadav hit a six. Nepal managed to post 148/8.
No acceleration from West Indies in unsuccessful run chase
In the run chase, Kyle Mayers got run out as Bhurtel's direct hit caught him short of the crease. Ackeem Auguste tried to use the fielding restrictions and cleared the ropes twice before losing his wicket to Yadav in the fifth over. After the powerplay overs, West Indies were 40/2. Skipper Paudel introduced himself into the attack and got the wicket of Jewel Andrew. Lalit Rajbanshi capitalised on the pressure and ended Amir Jangoo's stay at the crease. he scored 19 runs from 22 balls. At the halfway stage, West Indies were 56/4.
With required run rate going up, Keacy Carty hit Paudel for a six. In the next over, he got run out despite putting in a dive. Holder could not make an impact either and got out to Bhurtel. Bidaisee tried to accelerate but the game was already out of the grasp. He got out hit wicket for 22 runs from 25 balls. He became the second batter in history of T20Is to get out hit wicket on debut. Hosein tried to keep the run chase alive and got dropped twice. In the penultimate over, he departed for a nine-ball 18. In the final over, 28 runs were needed. Fabian Allen hit two boundaries which were not enough. West Indies posted 129/9 and lost the match by 19 runs.
Skipper’s message to Nepal
“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 UAE,” ‘Player of the match’ Paudel said in the post-match presentation.
“It's just the beginning, lot more to come. The mindset was very clear, if we are coming here, we are there to win the series. We are still grounded, we will do the process right and we will see whatever comes next,” he said in his message to Nepalese people.
The second of the third T20I will be played on September 29.