Nepal pulled off a sensational 19-run victory over the West Indies in the first T20I at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on September 27, 2025. Captain Rohit Paudel led from the front with a brilliant 38 off 35 balls as Nepal posted 148/8, before their bowlers delivered a clinical performance to restrict the Caribbean side to 129/9 in a thrilling encounter.
Match Details
The Nepal vs West Indies 1st T20I took place at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium on September 27, 2025, as part of Nepal’s tour of the United Arab Emirates. Playing under floodlights in this night match, the West Indies won the toss and elected to field first, putting Nepal into bat on what proved to be a challenging surface for strokeplay.
The historic encounter marked T20I debuts for four West Indies players – Amir Jangoo, Ackeem Auguste, Navin Bidaisee, and Ramon Simmonds – making it a memorable night for multiple reasons.
Nepal’s Innings – Captain’s Knock Sets Foundation
Nepal endured a nightmarish start, losing both openers inside the first four overs. Kushal Bhurtel was stumped by Jangoo off Hosein for just 6, while Aasif Sheikh fell for 3, leaving Nepal reeling at 12/2.
Captain Rohit Paudel stepped up magnificently when his team needed him most. The skipper found an able ally in Kushal Malla, and together they constructed a match-defining 58-run partnership for the third wicket. Paudel played with authority, striking at 108.57 while rotating strike intelligently.
Malla provided the perfect foil with his aggressive 30 off 21 balls, hitting two boundaries and a six before falling to Navin Bidaisee in the 11th over. Nepal reached 70/3 at that stage, with Paudel anchoring the innings superbly.
The middle order chipped in valuable runs. Gulsan Jha smashed 22 off just 16 balls, while Dipendra Singh Airee contributed a crucial 17. However, Jason Holder’s devastating spell of 4/20 triggered a collapse, as Nepal lost their last five wickets for just 29 runs in the final four overs.
West Indies Falter in Pressure Chase
Chasing 149, the West Indies got off to the worst possible start when Kyle Mayers was run out for just 5 in the second over. Amir Jangoo (19) and Ackeem Auguste (15) tried to steady the ship, but Nepal’s spinners applied consistent pressure.
The turning point came when Lalit Rajbanshi dismissed Jangoo, and Nandan Yadav removed Auguste, leaving the visitors at 53/4. Keacy Carty (16) and Navin Bidaisee (22) attempted a recovery, but both fell at crucial moments.
Fabian Allen’s late cameo of 19 off 14 balls and Akeal Hosein’s 18 gave the West Indies hope, but Nepal’s bowlers held their nerve. Kushal Bhurtel was the star with figures of 2/17 from four overs, while six different bowlers shared the wickets.
Detailed Scoreboard
Nepal Innings (148/8 in 20 overs)
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kushal Bhurtel | 6 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 54.54 |
| Aasif Sheikh† | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 75.00 |
| Rohit Paudel (c) | 38 | 35 | 3 | 1 | 108.57 |
| Kushal Malla | 30 | 21 | 2 | 2 | 142.85 |
| Gulsan Jha | 22 | 16 | 0 | 2 | 137.50 |
| Dipendra Singh Airee | 17 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 89.47 |
| Sundeep Jora | 9 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 150.00 |
| Sompal Kami* | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 120.00 |
| Karan KC | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Nandan Yadav* | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 350.00 |
| Extras: 10 (w 10) |
Bowling Figures – West Indies:
- Jason Holder: 4/20 (4 overs)
- Navin Bidaisee: 3/29 (4 overs)
- Akeal Hosein: 1/18 (4 overs)
West Indies Innings (129/9 in 20 overs)
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Mayers | 5 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 62.50 |
| Amir Jangoo† | 19 | 22 | 2 | 0 | 86.36 |
| Ackeem Auguste | 15 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 214.28 |
| Jewel Andrew | 5 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 45.45 |
| Keacy Carty | 16 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 106.66 |
| Navin Bidaisee | 22 | 25 | 1 | 1 | 88.00 |
| Jason Holder | 5 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 71.42 |
| Fabian Allen | 19 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 135.71 |
| Akeal Hosein (c) | 18 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 200.00 |
| Obed McCoy* | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Extras: 5 (nb 1, w 4) |
Bowling Figures – Nepal:
- Kushal Bhurtel: 2/17 (4 overs)
- Lalit Rajbanshi: 1/6 (2 overs)
- Nandan Yadav: 1/6 (1 over)
Last 6 Overs Analysis
| Team | Overs 15-20 | Key Events |
|---|---|---|
| Nepal | 29/5 | Holder’s 4-wicket burst |
| West Indies | 35/2 | Late hitting by Allen & Hosein |
Top Performers
Nepal:
- Rohit Paudel — 38* (35), 3×4, 1×6 – Captain’s knock under pressure
- Kushal Malla — 30 (21), 2×4, 2×6 – Crucial partnership builder
- Kushal Bhurtel — 2/17 (4 overs) – Outstanding bowling figures
- Gulsan Jha — 22 (16), 2×6 – Explosive cameo in middle overs
West Indies:
- Navin Bidaisee — 22 (25), 1×4, 1×6 – Top scorer with bat, 3/29 with ball
- Amir Jangoo — 19 (22), 2×4 – Steady start before dismissal
- Jason Holder — 4/20 (4 overs) – Devastating bowling spell
- Fabian Allen — 19 (14), 3×4 – Late resistance attempt
Player Reactions
“This is the proudest moment of my captaincy career,” said Rohit Paudel after the historic victory. “When we were 12 for 2, many would have written us off, but the boys showed incredible character. Our bowling unit executed perfectly under pressure.”
West Indies captain Akeal Hosein was gracious in defeat: “Full credit to Nepal – they outplayed us in all departments today. We got a good start with the ball but couldn’t build pressure consistently. We need to bounce back stronger in the next game.”
Match Summary
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Venue | Sharjah Cricket Stadium |
| Date | September 27, 2025 (Night Match) |
| Toss | West Indies won, elected to field |
| Result | Nepal won by 19 runs |
| Series Status | Nepal leads 3-match series 1-0 |
| Player of the Match | Rohit Paudel (Nepal) |
| Match Number | T20I no. 3477 |
| T20I Debuts | Amir Jangoo, Ackeem Auguste, Navin Bidaisee, Ramon Simmonds (WI) |
Statistical Highlights
- Nepal’s first-ever T20I victory over a Full Member nation
- Four players made their T20I debuts for West Indies in this match
- Rohit Paudel’s highest T20I score as captain (38 off 35 balls)
- Jason Holder’s best T20I bowling figures in 2025 (4/20)
- Six different Nepal bowlers took wickets – showcasing squad depth
- West Indies’ lowest total in T20Is this year when batting second
- Match number 3477 in T20I cricket history
Match Officials:
- Umpires: Buddhi Pradhan, Durga Subedi
- TV Umpire: Vinay Kumar
- Reserve Umpire: Akbar Ali
- Match Referee: Narayanan Kutty
What’s Next
This Nepal vs West Indies result gives the hosts a dream start to the three-match series and puts them within one victory of their first bilateral series triumph against a Full Member nation. The second T20I takes place on September 29 at the same venue, with the West Indies under immense pressure to level the series and keep their hopes alive.
Nepal will look to build on this momentum and could field an unchanged XI given the balanced performance across all departments. The West Indies face tough selection decisions, particularly whether to persist with their debutants or bring in more experienced players for the crucial second match.
Conclusion
Nepal’s 19-run triumph over the West Indies represents a watershed moment in their cricket journey. Captain Rohit Paudel’s mature innings and the team’s collective bowling effort showcased the rapid strides this emerging nation has made on the international stage.