Sharjah: Nepal etched their name in history books, defeating two-time world champions West Indies by 19 runs in the opening T20 International here for their first-ever victory against a Full ICC Member nation.
Nepal had earlier beaten Afghanistan in 2014, but the latter were still an Associate Member at that time.
Saturday’s result, therefore, marked Nepal's biggest win yet on the international stage, and came in their maiden T20I clash against the Caribbean side and first bilateral series against a Full Member.
Sent in to bat, Nepal posted 148/8 and then returned to restrict West Indies to 129/9.
West Indies reduced Nepal to 12/2 in the fourth over after Akeal Hosein and Jason Holder struck early. But Nepal skipper Rohit Paudel (38) and Kushal Malla (30) steadied the innings with a 58-run stand before debutant Navin Bidaisee dismissed both in quick succession.
Malla provided the early impetus with two sixes, while Dipendra Singh Airee (24) and Gulsan Jha chipped in to keep the scoreboard moving. WI dented Nepal with three wickets in the 19th over. agencies