On Saturday, September 27, Nepal stunned West Indies in the first T20I of the three-match series, underway in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Rohit Paudel-led side etched history as they defeated West Indies by 19 runs in the series opener in Sharjah in what was their first-ever T20I meeting, thus registering first T20I win over a full member nation.
For the unversed, Akeal Hosein-led side won the toss and elected to bowl first. As a result, Nepal took the guards in the middle, scoring 148 runs at the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs, courtesy a 35-ball 38 from skipper Rohit Paudel and 21-ball 30 from Kushal Malla. Among the bowlers, Jason Holder was the pick, scalping four wickets in his four-over spell along with Navin Bidaisee, who picked
up three wickets.
Rohit Paudel dedicates POTM to martyrs of Gen Z protest in Nepal
In reply, the Nepal side kept the Windies under tight line and length and restricted them at 129 in their stipulated 20 overs. With Nepal bowling seven bowlers in the game, almost all got a wicket to their name with Kushal Bhurtel finishing with the most economical spell of 2/17 in his four overs. While it was a moment to cherish for Nepal, who took 180 internationals to register their first win against a full-member nation, Rohot Paudel secured the Player of the Match.
On winning the award, the Nepal captain dedicated it to the martyrs of the recent Gen Z protests which were carried out in the country. “ Want to dedicate this award to the martyrs back home who participated in the protest. The last month has not been great for us, so if we can give a little bit of happiness to the people of Nepal, I think that would be great,” he said.
With Nepal now 1-0 up in the three match series, the second T20I is scheduled to be played on Monday, September 29 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah.
