Nepal Seize Historic Moment as West Indies Struggle in First-Ever T20I
Sharjah, September 27, 2025 — Under the shimmering floodlights of Sharjah, Nepal carved out a piece of cricketing history tonight, taking the fight to the mighty West Indies in their maiden bilateral T20I contest against a full ICC member. What began as a symbolic milestone has quickly turned into a gripping battle, with Rohit Paudel’s spirited side exposing the cracks in a depleted Caribbean unit.
The West Indies, asked to bat after losing the toss, looked rattled from the outset. Their innings faltered to 53/3 inside nine overs, undone by disciplined Nepalese bowling and sharp fielding. Jewel Andrew, touted as one of the Windies’ promising young batters, perished for just five runs in an attempted big hit that found the safe hands of Sundeep Jora at long-on. Soon after, Amir Jangoo’s dismissal — a mistimed sweep that ballooned into the deep — left the visitors searching for stability.
Rajbanshi and Paudel Shine for Nepal
The breakthrough moment came courtesy of Lalit Rajbanshi, whose variations tied down the Windies middle order. His flight and drift forced errors, while skipper Rohit Paudel’s bold decision to bring himself into the attack paid dividends immediately. Paudel removed Andrew with a clever toss-up delivery, igniting a roar from the Nepal supporters in the stands.
For Nepal, this wasn’t just another fixture — it was a validation of years spent climbing the associate ladder. The likes of Karan KC and Sompal Kami, veterans of Nepal’s cricketing rise, set the early tone with nagging lines that denied the Caribbean batters easy scoring opportunities. Even a dropped catch by Paudel couldn’t dampen Nepal’s momentum, with the team quickly regaining control.
A Second-String West Indies Under Pressure
The West Indies arrived in Sharjah missing several of their heavyweights, including Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran, and Sherfane Rutherford. With the side already low on confidence after recent drubbings by Australia and Pakistan, this match was seen as a chance to rebuild. Instead, the inexperience showed. Keacy Carty briefly steadied the innings with a crisp boundary through covers, but the lack of partnerships left them reeling.
The decision to rest senior names and back a young squad may serve West Indies in the long term, but tonight, it highlighted the gulf between raw talent and experience under pressure. Captain Akeal Hosein faces the tall task of marshalling this side against a Nepal unit brimming with belief.
Fans in Sharjah Witness History
The Sharjah Cricket Stadium, which has staged countless iconic contests, added a new chapter to its legacy by hosting Nepal’s first-ever bilateral against a Test-playing nation. The stands were dotted with Nepalese flags, drums, and chants, creating an atmosphere more reminiscent of Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan University Ground than the Gulf desert.
For the fans, this was more than a match. It was the culmination of years of dreaming — from watching Sandeep Lamichhane make waves in franchise leagues to seeing their national team push boundaries at the associate level.
The Road Ahead
Regardless of the result, this series marks a turning point for Nepal. A competitive outing against the West Indies would accelerate their push for greater recognition on the world stage. For the Caribbean side, the challenge is clear: rediscover the fearless cricket that once made them world champions, even without their star names.
As the match heads into the middle overs, one thing is certain: Nepal are no longer just participating — they are competing. And in Sharjah tonight, the cricketing world is watching a new chapter unfold.