Nepal’s fairytale in world cricket, Newcomer's stun West Indies to script history

Who would have imagined that Nepal, once considered mere newcomers in world cricket, would defeat two-time T20 World Cup champions West Indies in a bilateral series — and that too with a game in hand?

On Monday at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Nepal achieved something that cannot simply be called an upset. It was a statement to the cricketing world: Nepal is no longer a side to be overlooked.

Nepal’s international journey is still young. Cricket has not yet fully spread through every alley of the Himalayan nation, but the rise of leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane had already introduced Nepal to the global stage. This time, however, Nepal went beyond individual brilliance to script a collective fairytale.

Chasing 174, West Indies collapsed to just 83 all out, handing Nepal a thumping 90-run victory — their biggest in history and enough to seal the three-match T20I series 2–0. Aasif Sheikh, Sandeep Jora, Adil Alam, and Kushal Bhurtel all played starring roles in a triumph that will be remembered forever.

Nepal had already won the first match by 19 runs. In the second game, Aasif Sheikh remained unbeaten on 68, while Sandeep Jora added 63, helping Nepal post 173/6 in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, the West Indies batting lineup crumbled against the disciplined bowling of Mohammad Adil Alam and Kushal Bhurtel, who restricted them to 83 in 17.1 overs. Jason Holder (21) was the only Caribbean batter to put up some resistance.

The chase started disastrously for the West Indies. Juel Andrew (2) fell with the score on 4, followed by Casey Carty (1) at 5. Dipendra Singh Airee and Karan Chhetri did the early damage. Kyle Mayers (6) became Adil’s first victim, who then dismissed Ackeem Auguste (17) and Ameer Jango (16), leaving the Windies reeling at 63/5.

Bhurtel then took over, removing Fabian Allen (7) and captain Akeal Hosein (0) in the 14th over. Adil chipped in again by dismissing Nabin Badaisi (2). Holder fought briefly but eventually departed for 21, sent back by Lalit Rajbanshi at 81/9. Bhurtel completed the job by dismissing Jisan Motara (2) to spark Nepal’s celebrations.

Adil finished with 4 wickets, while Bhurtel claimed 3.

Earlier, batting first, Nepal lost two early wickets with just 14 runs on the board. Bhurtel (2) fell at 10 and skipper Rohit Paudel (3) at 14, both to Hosein. Kushal Malla (7) was run out at 43. But the fourth-wicket partnership between Sheikh and Jora turned the tide. The duo added a century stand, with Jora scoring 63 off 39 before being dismissed. Sheikh anchored the innings with an unbeaten 68 off 47, striking 8 fours and 2 sixes.

For the West Indies, Akeal Hosein and Kyle Mayers picked up two wickets each, while Jediah Blades claimed one.

This marks Nepal’s first-ever T20I series win against a Test-playing nation. Beyond the individual fame of Lamichhane, Nepal have now truly arrived as a team to be reckoned with in world cricket.