Nepal defeated the West Indies by 19 runs on Saturday, taking a 1-0 lead in the first Twenty20 International of the three-match series. This is the first time Nepal has ever defeated a Test nation. Nepal scored 148 for eight in their 20 overs after losing the toss and being forced to bat first. Rohit Paudel, the captain, led the way with 38 runs off 35 balls, followed by Kushal Malla with 30 off 21 and Gulsan Jha with 22.
The middle order carried on the innings despite their poor start (12 for 2). Navin Bidaisee, who was making his debut, took three wickets for 29, while Jason Holder, the standout of the West Indies attack, concluded with four wickets for 20.
Nepal’s disciplined bowling and clever fielding were too much for the West Indies, who were chasing 149, and they ended up settling for 129 for nine.
While Lalit Rajbanshi, Paudel, Dipendra Singh Airee, Karan KC, and Nandan Yadav each took one wicket, Kushal Bhurtel claimed two wickets for seventeen in four overs. Nepal’s two crucial run-outs also showed how good their fielding was.