By Sachit Subba ⢠Cricket ⢠Sep 29, 2025 18:14 PM ⢠153 views
Sharjah: Nepal scripted another golden chapter in its cricketing rise, defeating the West Indies by 90 runs in the second T20I of the Unity Cup to secure the three-match series with a game to spare. This marks Nepal's first-ever T20I series triumph against a Test-playing nation â a milestone achievement in the country's cricket history.
Chasing a target of 174, the West Indies folded for just 83 runs in 17.1 overs. Jason Holder top-scored with 21 off 15 balls, including two sixes, but none of the Caribbean batters managed to withstand Nepal's relentless bowling attack. The collapse began early, with openers Jeval Andrew (2) and Kyle Mayers (6) departing cheaply, while KC Carty (1), Akeem Auguste (17), and Amir Jango (16) also fell without building momentum.
Adil Alam, playing in place of the injured Nandan Yadav, delivered a sensational spell, taking 4 wickets for 24 runs in his four overs. It was a remarkable return for the bowler, who made his comeback after serving a ban. Supporting him, Kushal Bhurtel produced a fiery burst, claiming 3 wickets for 16 runs in 2.1 overs, including a maiden. Lalit Rajbanshi, Karan KC, and Dipendra Singh Airee chipped in with a wicket apiece as West Indies crumbled under pressure.
Earlier, after winning the toss, Nepal posted 173/6 in their allotted 20 overs. The innings was anchored by opener Aasif Sheikh, who remained unbeaten on 68 from 47 balls, striking 8 fours and 2 sixes. He was brilliantly supported by Sandeep Jora, who hammered 63 off 39 deliveries with 3 fours and 5 sixes. The pair put together a match-defining 100-run partnership for the fourth wicket â Nepal's highest-ever stand for that position in T20Is against a Test nation. Notably, it was also the first instance of a Nepalese batting pair recording a century partnership and individual half-centuries against a Test side in T20I cricket.
Nepal's start, however, had been shaky. Spinner Akeal Hosein removed Kushal Bhurtel for 2 (LBW) and captain Rohit Paudel for 3 (bowled), reducing Nepal to 14/2 inside the fourth over. Soon after, Kushal Malla was run out for 7 following a miscommunication with Sheikh. But Sheikh and Jora's composed counterattack not only stabilised the innings but also laid the foundation for Nepal's commanding total. Adil Ansari (11 off 5) and Gulshan Jha (6) added quick runs late in the innings. For the West Indies, Hosein and Mayers picked up two wickets each. The historic series win comes just days after Nepal stunned West Indies with a 19-run victory in the opening match, which itself was the country's first-ever triumph over a full-member side. With back-to-back wins, Nepal now lead the series 2-0, rendering Tuesday's third and final game a dead rubber â but another chance for the Rhinos to make a clean sweep against the Caribbean giants.
