West Indies Crush Nepal by 9 Wickets in Dominant Chase
West Indies registered a commanding 9-wicket victory over Nepal in the 25th Match, Group C clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. After restricting Nepal to 133/8 in 20 overs, the Caribbean side chased down the target comfortably in just 15.2 overs, finishing at 134/1.
Captain Shai Hope led from the front with an unbeaten 61, while Shimron Hetmyer provided explosive support with a quickfire 46*. Earlier, Jason Holder’s four-wicket haul proved decisive in dismantling Nepal’s middle order.
Nepal Struggle After Early Collapse, Post 133/8
Nepal’s innings never truly gathered momentum after early setbacks. Losing opener Kushal Bhurtel in the first over put them on the back foot immediately.
Powerplay Trouble
Nepal managed just 22 runs in the mandatory powerplay (0.1–6 overs) while losing three crucial wickets. Rohit Paudel and Aasif Sheikh both departed cheaply, leaving the side at 23/4 inside seven overs.
Dipendra Singh Airee Fights Alone
Amid the collapse, Dipendra Singh Airee stood tall with a composed 58 off 47 balls, including 3 fours and 3 sixes. He anchored the innings through the middle overs and built useful partnerships:
- 23-run stand with Lokesh Bam
- 54-run partnership with Gulsan Jha
- Late acceleration supported by Sompal Kami
However, Nepal lacked consistent support. The middle order failed to convert starts, and wickets fell at regular intervals.
Sompal Kami’s Late Cameo
Sompal Kami’s unbeaten 26 off just 15 balls added valuable late runs, pushing Nepal to 133/8. His knock included 4 boundaries and a strike rate above 170, helping Nepal reach a competitive but below-par total.
West Indies Bowling: Holder Shines with Four Wickets
The West Indies bowling attack delivered a disciplined performance.
Jason Holder – Match Turning Spell
Jason Holder was the standout performer, finishing with figures of 4/27 in 4 overs. He removed:
- Aasif Sheikh
- Dipendra Singh Airee
- Aarif Sheikh
- Karan KC
His timely breakthroughs prevented Nepal from building momentum in the middle and death overs.
Matthew Forde’s Tight Spell
Matthew Forde bowled economically, conceding just 10 runs in 4 overs, including a maiden. His spell restricted Nepal’s scoring options during the crucial powerplay phase.
Other contributions:
- Akeal Hosein: 1/30
- Roston Chase: 1/10
- Shamar Joseph: 1/38
The collective effort ensured Nepal never crossed the 140-mark.
West Indies Chase: Clinical and Controlled
Chasing 134 on a batting-friendly Wankhede pitch, West Indies started positively.
Early Wicket but No Panic
Brandon King scored 22 off 17 before being dismissed at 43/1 in 5.3 overs. However, the powerplay yielded 44 runs, keeping the required rate under control.
From there, the match turned into a one-sided affair.
Shai Hope Anchors the Chase
Captain Shai Hope played a captain’s knock, scoring 61 off 44 balls* with 5 fours and 3 sixes. His innings combined timing, placement, and intelligent strike rotation.
Hope ensured:
- No scoreboard pressure
- Stable partnerships
- Controlled acceleration after powerplay
Shimron Hetmyer Finishes in Style
Shimron Hetmyer smashed 46 off 32 balls*, striking at over 143. He targeted Nepal’s spinners and medium pacers effectively.
The unbeaten 91-run partnership between Hope and Hetmyer sealed the match comfortably. West Indies reached 134/1 in just 15.2 overs with 28 balls to spare.
Nepal Bowling: Lack of Penetration
Nepal’s bowling attack struggled to make breakthroughs after the early dismissal of Brandon King.
- Nandan Yadav: 1/24 (3 overs)
- Sandeep Lamichhane: 0/38 (3 overs)
- Sompal Kami: 0/23 (2 overs)
- Dipendra Singh Airee: 0/19 (3.2 overs)
The bowlers failed to apply sustained pressure, and the fielding unit also lacked sharpness.
Key Moments of the Match
- Holder’s Double Strike: Removing key middle-order batters halted Nepal’s progress.
- Powerplay Dominance: West Indies restricted Nepal to just 22 runs in the first six overs.
- Hope-Hetmyer Partnership: The unbeaten 91-run stand crushed Nepal’s hopes.
- Economical Spell by Forde: 4-1-10-1 kept Nepal’s scoring under check early.
Match Summary
Nepal: 133/8 (20 overs)
- Dipendra Singh Airee – 58 (47)
- Sompal Kami – 26* (15)
- Jason Holder – 4/27
West Indies: 134/1 (15.2 overs)
- Shai Hope – 61* (44)
- Shimron Hetmyer – 46* (32)
Result: West Indies won by 9 wickets
What This Means for Group C
This comprehensive win boosts West Indies’ net run rate significantly in Group C of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The dominant performance strengthens their position in the points table as the tournament heads into its crucial middle phase.
For Nepal, the defeat exposes batting fragility in the top order. While Dipendra Singh Airee showed resilience, the team needs stronger starts and improved powerplay performance in upcoming fixtures.
Tactical Analysis
Why West Indies Won
- Disciplined bowling in powerplay
- Middle-over control through Holder and Forde
- Experienced leadership from Hope
- Calm, calculated run chase
Where Nepal Fell Short
- Early wickets derailed innings
- Inability to accelerate between overs 7–14
- Lack of bowling penetration in second innings
- Missed opportunities in the field
Conclusion
West Indies delivered a complete performance to outclass Nepal by nine wickets at Wankhede Stadium. Jason Holder’s four-wicket haul set the tone, while Shai Hope’s unbeaten half-century ensured a smooth chase.
As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 intensifies, West Indies appear to be gaining momentum at the right time. Nepal, meanwhile, must regroup quickly to stay competitive in Group C.
With power-packed batting, disciplined bowling, and experienced leadership, West Indies showcased why they remain one of the most dangerous T20 sides in world cricket.