Introduction
Cricket has always been a sport of stories — underdogs rising, giants falling, and history being rewritten in front of passionate fans. The Nepal vs West Indies 1st T20I 2025 (NEP vs WI / WI vs Nepal) T20I in Sharjah, September 2025, became one of those tales. For Nepal, it wasn’t just another game; it was about proving they belonged on the big stage. For the West Indies, it was supposed to be routine — until it wasn’t.
With leaders like Rohit Paudel guiding Nepal, Dipendra Singh Airee adding balance, and Akeal Hosein spearheading West Indies’ charge, this game had all the drama: early collapses, gritty rebuilds, tactical bowling, and a nail-biting finish.
Let’s break it all down — not just with words, but with styled scorecards and stat highlights to keep the story engaging.
Nepal’s Rise in Global Cricket
A decade ago, Nepal was seen as an associate nation with raw talent but limited exposure. Fast forward to today, and they’ve made their way into the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, produced household names like Sandeep Lamichhane and Paras Khadka, and now challenged cricketing royalty in the West Indies.
The real story, however, is the new generation:
- Rohit Paudel – a calm and composed captain.
- Dipendra Singh Airee – one of the most destructive middle-order hitters in T20Is.
- Kushal Malla & Kushal Bhurtel – fearless youngsters ready to take on the best.
Nepal’s growth is proof that cricket is no longer limited to traditional powerhouses.
West Indies: The Legacy & the Challenge
The West Indies cricket team needs no introduction. With legends like Sir Vivian Richards, Brian Lara, Chris Gayle, and Kieron Pollard, their history is decorated with flair and dominance. But modern-day West Indies cricket has been inconsistent, particularly in T20Is.
Akeal Hosein, now leading the side, brings balance with his left-arm spin and leadership. Backed by experienced names like Jason Holder, Obed McCoy, and Fabian Allen, West Indies entered this series as heavy favorites.
But cricket isn’t played on paper — it’s played on 22 yards.
Nepal vs West Indies 1st T20I 2025: Match Summary
Here’s where history was made. Nepal stunned the cricketing world by defeating West Indies by 19 runs in the opening match of the series.
Match Scorecard (Styled for Engagement)
📍 Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE
📅 Date: September 27, 2025
🏆 Result: Nepal won by 19 runs
Nepal Batting Innings – 148/8 (20 overs)
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kushal Bhurtel | 6 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 54.5 |
| Aasif Sheikh (wk) | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 75.0 |
| Kushal Malla | 30 | 21 | 2 | 2 | 142.9 |
| Rohit Paudel (c) | 38 | 35 | 3 | 1 | 108.6 |
| Dipendra S. Airee | 17 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 89.5 |
| Gulsan Jha | 22 | 16 | 0 | 2 | 137.5 |
| Sompal Kami | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 120.0 |
| Karan KC | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nandan Yadav | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 350.0 |
Extras: 10 (all wides)
Total: 148/8 (20 overs)
West Indies Bowling
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jason Holder | 4 | 0 | 20 | 4 | 5.00 |
| Akeal Hosein (c) | 4 | 0 | 18 | 1 | 4.50 |
| Obed McCoy | 4 | 0 | 37 | 0 | 9.37 |
| Fabian Allen | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9.50 |
| Naveen Bidaisee | 4 | 0 | 29 | 3 | 7.3 |
West Indies Batting Innings – 129/9 (20 overs)
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Mayers | 5 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 62.5 |
| Amir Jangoo (wk) | 19 | 22 | 2 | 0 | 86.4 |
| Ackeem Auguste | 15 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 214.3 |
| Jewek Andrew | 5 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 45.5 |
| Jason Holder | 5 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 71.4 |
| Akeal Hosein (c) | 18 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 200.0 |
| Obed McCoy | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Keacy Carty | 16 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 106.6 |
| fabian allen | 19 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 135.7 |
| Naveen Bidaisee | 22 | 25 | 1 | 2 | 4.3 |
Extras: 5 (wides,nb)
Total: 129/9 (20 overs)
Nepal Bowling
🏅 Player of the Match: Rohit Paudel (Captain, Nepal)
Key Highlights of the Match
- Nepal posted a modest 148/8, but it turned out to be enough thanks to disciplined bowling.
- Jason Holder’s 4/20 stood out as the best bowling spell of the match.
- Rohit Paudel anchored Nepal’s innings with 38 off 35, setting up a defendable target.
- Akeal Hosein’s late cameo (18 off 9) scared Nepal briefly, but wasn’t enough to close the gap.
- Nepal’s bowlers — especially Karan KC and Sompal Kami — executed yorkers and slower balls at the death, choking WI’s chase.
Player Spotlights
Rohit Paudel — The Calm Leader
At just 22, Rohit Paudel showed maturity beyond his age. He absorbed pressure during Nepal’s batting collapse and later rotated his bowlers smartly. His leadership was praised by commentators as “fearless yet calculated.”
Dipendra Singh Airee — The Engine Room
Known for his world-record fastest 50 in T20Is (9 balls in 2023), Airee has become Nepal’s most reliable all-rounder. Against West Indies, he chipped in with 38 runs and two wicket, proving his multi-role value.
Akeal Hosein — The Lone Fighter for WI
With an economy of just 4.50 and a quickfire 18 runs, Akeal Hosein showed why he is trusted as captain. His spin stifled Nepal in the middle overs, but the lack of batting support undid his efforts.
Records & Stats from the Match
- 🏏 Nepal registered their first-ever T20I win against a full ICC member nation.
- ⏳ It took 180 international matches for Nepal to beat a Test nation.
- 🎯 Jason Holder’s 4/20 is now among the top bowling figures against Nepal in T20Is.
- ⚡ Nepal’s fielding was sharp — 2 direct-hit run outs swung momentum.
- 📊 Win Probability (live stat projection):
- After Nepal’s innings: WI 65% favorites.
- At 10 overs of WI chase: Nepal 55%.
- Final overs: Nepal 80% → WIN.
Tactical Takeaways
- Nepal’s Strengths: Fielding intensity, smart bowling changes, captaincy maturity.
- West Indies’ Weaknesses: Over-reliance on individual brilliance, lack of partnerships.
- Pitch Factor: Sharjah slowed down under lights, favoring disciplined bowling.
Future Outlook
- For Nepal, this win is more than points — it’s validation. Expect them to push for more bilateral series with top teams.
- For West Indies, it’s a reminder that complacency can cost games, and batting depth must step up.
This isn’t just a one-off. “NEP vs WI” might just become one of cricket’s most exciting new rivalries.
Conclusion
The Nepal vs West Indies clash will be remembered as a turning point in cricket’s global story. Nepal’s victory wasn’t luck — it was built on grit, strategy, and self-belief. For West Indies, it’s a wake-up call.
When we next see “WI vs NEP” on the fixture list, expect fireworks, expect passion, and above all, expect the unexpected.
FAQs
1. Who won the Nepal vs West Indies 1st T20I 2025?
👉 Nepal won by 19 runs.
2. Who was Player of the Match?
👉 Rohit Paudel (Nepal captain).
3. How did Akeal Hosein perform?
👉 1 wicket for 18 runs (4 overs) and 18 off 9 with the bat.
4. What was the turning point of the game?
👉 Nepal’s double strike in the middle overs (Airee & Rajbanshi) stalled WI’s chase.
5. Why is this win historic for Nepal?
👉 It was their first-ever T20I win against a full ICC member nation.
💡 Final Thought: Nepal’s roar has been heard — cricket’s world map just got bigger.
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