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- 1st T20I: Nepal beat West Indies by 19 runs
- 2nd T20I: Nepal won by a massive margin of 90 runs, sealing the series
- 3rd T20I: West Indies bounced back with a 10-wicket win
Kathmandu, Oct 2: At a time when the nation is still grieving from the tragic loss of 74 lives and thousands of injuries during the recent Gen Z movement of Sept 8–9, Nepal’s national men’s cricket team has offered a ray of hope. Through a historic victory against West Indies, the team has lifted the country’s morale and raised Nepal’s profile in the international cricket arena.
Nepal stunned the cricketing world by defeating the West Indies, one of the most powerful full-member sides of the ICC, in a three-match T20 International series held in Sharjah, UAE. Nepal clinched the series by winning the first two matches, although they lost the final encounter.
- 1st T20I: Nepal beat West Indies by 19 runs
- 2nd T20I: Nepal won by a massive margin of 90 runs, sealing the series
- 3rd T20I: West Indies bounced back with a 10-wicket win
This marks Nepal’s first-ever series victory against an ICC full-member nation. Until now, Nepal had played eight matches against full-member teams but never managed a win. This success comes after Nepal narrowly lost to South Africa by just one run in the 2024 T20 World Cup. For Nepalis worldwide celebrating Dashain, this achievement brought a moment of national pride.
Nepali players dedicated their success to the martyrs of the Gen Z movement. After winning the first match, captain Rohit Paudel, who was named Man of the Match, immediately announced that he was dedicating the award to those who lost their lives during the protests.
The national team had felt the turbulence at home before traveling to Sharjah, as visa delays caused by the political unrest forced them to reach the UAE later than scheduled. The gesture of dedicating the victory has been hailed as a symbol of unity, healing, and national solidarity.
Nepali player’s individual performance
Unwavering fan support
Thousands of Nepali fans filled the Sharjah stadium during all three matches. The UAE, home to a large Nepali migrant community, once again became a venue where Nepali supporters created a home-like atmosphere. Waving flags and donning national jerseys, they cheered from start to finish, giving the players an immense morale boost.
The overwhelming support not only reflected the love of the diaspora for Nepal but also highlighted the spirit of national unity beyond borders.
Nepal as organizer
The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) organized the series in cooperation with Cricket West Indies, while the Emirates Cricket Board facilitated match arrangements. This was the first time CAN hosted such an international series abroad.
Sharjah was chosen as the venue, as the TU Cricket Ground in Kathmandu is still undergoing renovation. The fact that a two-time World Cup and two-time T20 World Cup champion like the West Indies agreed to play Nepal is considered a major contribution to Nepal’s cricketing growth.
Controversy on Sandeep Lamichhane
Much attention surrounded leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane. Although seen with the team before the first match, he was not included in the playing XI or even the reserve list. Head coach Stuart Law later told reporters that Lamichhane was unavailable due to “personal reasons.” His absence drew curiosity among fans, especially given his strong performance in recent tours. Lamichhane himself later posted on Facebook, calling it a “personal matter” and assuring supporters that he would resolve it.
However, CAN had to suspend Lamichhane for three matches as he informed CAN before 45 minutes of starting the game that he will be unavailable for the matches.
Nepali officials in international role
Not only the players but also Nepali umpires and commentators had a role in the series. Buddhi Bahadur Pradhan, Binay Kumar Jha, and Durganath Subedi officiated matches as ICC umpires. On the commentary panel, Nepal was represented by former national captain Paras Khadka, ex-player Sharad Vesawkar, and broadcaster Sachin Timilsina, alongside global names like Ian Bishop, Andrew Leonard, and Carlos Brathwaite.
Looking ahead
The historic Unity Cup victory has fueled optimism for Nepal’s upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia-Pacific Qualifiers in Oman (Oct 12–17). Nepal, placed in Group 2 with Kuwait and Japan, aims to secure qualification for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Having first appeared in the T20 World Cup in 2014 and again in 2024, Nepal now seeks its third entry into the global event. The Sharjah series win against the West Indies proves Nepal is ready to stand tall against the cricketing giants of the world. #nepal #cricket
