Nepal Celebrates Historic T20I Victory Over West Indies

SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates — Nepal made history on September 27, 2025, by defeating the West Indies by 19 runs in the first T20I match of their series. This milestone win marks Nepal’s first victory against a full member nation in international cricket.

The match, held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, was a significant occasion for the team and its fans. After being put to bat first, Nepal scored 148 runs for 8 wickets, with captain Rohit Paudel contributing 38 runs and Kushal Malla adding 30 runs to the scoreboard.

In response, the West Indies struggled to chase down the target, finishing at 129 for 9. Key performances from Nepal’s bowlers included Kushal Bhurtel, who took 2 wickets for 17 runs, and the team’s overall disciplined fielding that kept the pressure on the two-time T20 World Cup champions.

Paudel dedicated the victory to the “martyrs back home” who had protested against government corruption and violence in recent weeks, hoping this win would bring happiness to the people. “It’s a long wait to beat a Test playing country. Hopefully, this little joy can uplift our nation,” he stated after the match.

The atmosphere in Nepal was electric as fans celebrated the historic win. Pujan Thapa, a fan, shared his excitement: “It was not expected, but as the game progressed, we saw there was a chance we could win. We were so happy, we stood up and danced.”

Chatur Bahadur Chand, president of the Cricket Association of Nepal, called the win a milestone for the nation’s cricketing status. “It helps improve our players’ standing in the cricketing world,” he said. The victory also signals a growing recognition of cricket in Nepal, which gained one-day international status in 2018.

This win comes after Nepal’s previous historic T20I against Afghanistan in 2014, marking a new chapter in their cricketing journey as they prepare for two more matches in the series against the West Indies.