Cricket often delivers moments that transcend the boundaries of the sport, becoming milestones in a nation’s sporting journey. September 2025 in Sharjah will forever be etched in Nepalese cricket history as one such moment. On a warm evening in the UAE, Nepal, a rising Associate cricket nation, scripted a story that will be told for generations—they defeated the mighty West Indies, a two-time T20 World Cup champion, by 19 runs.
This was not just another upset in cricket. This was Nepal’s first-ever win over a Full Member nation after playing 180 internationals across formats. For a country where cricket is a growing passion, this victory represents a breakthrough, a dream realized, and a glimpse of what the future could hold.
The Historic Occasion: Nepal vs West Indies in Sharjah
The three-match T20I series between Nepal and the West Indies was always expected to be a learning experience for the Himalayan nation. Facing a team filled with seasoned international stars was no small challenge. Yet, Nepal walked into the contest with belief and a desire to compete.
West Indies, captained by Akeal Hosein, won the toss and opted to bowl first, perhaps hoping to exploit Sharjah’s slow pitch with their spinners and experienced seamers. On paper, it looked like the right call—restrict Nepal to a manageable total and then chase it down with power-hitters like Kyle Mayers, Fabian Allen, and Jason Holder. But cricket has a funny way of rewarding determination and collective effort, and Nepal had other plans.
Nepal’s Innings: Grit, Recovery, and Late-Order Fireworks
The Nepalese batting effort was not without its hurdles. They were jolted early when opener Kushal Bhurtel was stumped off Akeal Hosein, while Aasif Sheikh fell cheaply to Jason Holder in the fourth over. At 12/2, Nepal were in deep trouble, facing the prospect of a batting collapse.
Enter captain Rohit Paudel and young sensation Kushal Malla. The duo steadied the ship with a 58-run stand that formed the backbone of Nepal’s innings. Paudel, a natural stroke-maker, found his rhythm against Ramon Simmonds, taking 14 runs in a single over, while Malla mixed aggression with calculated risk-taking. Their running between the wickets was equally impressive, turning ones into twos and twos into threes—little acts of urgency that kept the scoreboard ticking.
However, as soon as momentum built, West Indies struck back. Malla, who had launched Obed McCoy for a towering six, was dismissed by debutant leg-spinner Navian Bidaisee. Soon after, Paudel too perished after smacking a six, leaving Nepal again searching for answers.
The middle order, led by Gulsan Jha, provided crucial impetus. Jha smashed two sixes in a brisk 22, only to be dismissed while trying to clear the boundary again. Jason Holder then delivered a devastating 19th over, claiming three wickets and nearly derailing Nepal’s innings.
But Nepal’s lower order refused to surrender. Two late sixes off Obed McCoy pushed the score to 148/8, a total that looked competitive on the sluggish Sharjah pitch. While it wasn’t a huge score by T20 standards, it gave Nepal’s bowlers something to defend—a chance they grabbed with both hands.
West Indies’ Chase: From Promise to Collapse
The West Indies began their reply aggressively, hitting a boundary off the first ball. Karan KC dismissed Kyle Mayers early, but Ackeem Auguste counter-attacked, taking 12 runs in Karan’s next over. For a brief moment, it looked like West Indies were going to cruise.
But Nepal’s bowlers had different ideas. Nandan Yadav trapped Auguste with a clever slower delivery, while captain Rohit Paudel chipped in with the wicket of Jewel Andrew. The turning point came when Jangoo, who was anchoring the chase, also fell, leaving West Indies reeling at 53/4.
From there, the innings unraveled. Keacy Carty’s run-out and Jason Holder’s cheap dismissal further dented hopes. With 70 runs needed off the last five overs, West Indies still had hitters like Fabian Allen and Navian Bidaisee, but the task grew steeper with every dot ball.
Bidaisee briefly threatened with a six and a four, but was dismissed hit-wicket, a bizarre end to his innings. The chase looked done and dusted, but Hosein and Allen reignited faint hopes with a flurry of boundaries, including 19 runs off Sompal Kami’s over. Suddenly, the equation came down to 30 off 12 balls.
Just when tension built, Karan KC dismissed Hosein, leaving Allen with an impossible task. With 28 needed off the last over, Allen tried to fight, striking two boundaries, but Nepal held their nerve. On the last ball, Allen fell, triggering celebrations that will echo across Nepal for years to come.
Key Performers: Heroes of the Night
- Rohit Paudel (38 runs, 1 wicket): The captain led from the front with a fighting knock and crucial breakthrough. His leadership stood out under pressure.
- Kushal Malla (30 runs): Played a vital hand in reviving Nepal’s innings alongside Paudel.
- Gulsan Jha (22 off 12 balls): His fearless hitting gave Nepal the late push.
- Jason Holder (4/20): The standout bowler for West Indies, threatening to derail Nepal’s innings.
- Navian Bidaisee (3/29 and 22 runs): Impressive debut, but his hit-wicket dismissal proved costly.
- Kushal Bhurtel (2/17) and Lalit Rajbanshi (1/6): Nepal’s bowlers who tightened the screws in the middle overs.
Why This Win Matters for Nepal
For Nepal, this victory is about more than just a cricket match. It is symbolic of the nation’s steady rise in international cricket. Since gaining ODI status in 2018, Nepal has made giant strides in both formats, but beating a Full Member nation had remained elusive.
- Breaking the Barrier: Defeating West Indies marks Nepal’s arrival on the global stage. It shows that Associates can compete and succeed against established powers.
- Boost for Cricket at Home: Nepal’s cricket-crazy fans, who often fill the Tribhuvan University Ground in Kathmandu, will see this as a validation of their faith in the team.
- Inspiration for the Future: Youngsters aspiring to play cricket in Nepal now have proof that their nation can stand toe-to-toe with giants.
- Momentum Builder: With the T20 World Cup qualifiers around the corner, such wins will boost Nepal’s confidence and global recognition.
Reactions: Celebration Across Nepal
Social media exploded as soon as Nepal sealed victory. Former players, cricket analysts, and fans hailed the win as a watershed moment. Streets in Kathmandu and Pokhara witnessed late-night celebrations, with fans waving flags and chanting the team’s name.
Even neutral fans praised Nepal’s grit and discipline. Many drew comparisons to Afghanistan’s early breakthroughs against big teams, predicting a bright future for Nepalese cricket if nurtured well.
The Road Ahead: Can Nepal Build on This?
Beating West Indies once is monumental, but the bigger challenge lies ahead—building consistency. Nepal will need to ensure this is not just a one-off upset but a stepping stone. With a pool of talented youngsters like Paudel, Malla, and Jha, supported by experienced campaigners like Karan KC and Sompal Kami, the foundation looks promising.
Investments in infrastructure, coaching, and domestic leagues will be crucial. If Nepal continues to grow at this pace, they could soon emerge as a formidable force among Associate nations, with the potential to trouble even the biggest teams on the world stage.
Final Thoughts
Cricket thrives on stories of underdogs overcoming giants, and Nepal’s victory over the West Indies is one of those timeless tales. It was a triumph of belief, teamwork, and resilience. For West Indies, it may be seen as a missed opportunity, but for Nepal, it was history in the making—a day when Sharjah turned into Kathmandu, when a small nation dared to dream and succeeded.
As the Nepalese players celebrated under the floodlights, their smiles told the story: cricket is no longer just a sport in Nepal; it is a movement, a national pride, and now, a force to be reckoned with.
Brief Scores:
- Nepal: 148/8 in 20 overs (Rohit Paudel 38, Kushal Malla 30; Jason Holder 4/20, Navian Bidaisee 3/29)
- West Indies: 129/9 in 20 overs (Navian Bidaisee 22, Fabian Allen 19; Kushal Bhurtel 2/17, Lalit Rajbanshi 1/6)
- Result: Nepal won by 19 runs