MUMBAI: Nepal finished on 133 for 8 in their 20 overs after West Indies won the toss and chose to bowl first in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group C match at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.
Nepal’s innings never fully settled after early strikes left them 22 for 3 inside the powerplay. Akeal Hosein removed Kushal Bhurtel for 1, while Jason Holder made the decisive inroads, accounting for Aasif Sheikh, Aarif Sheikh and later Karan KC as wickets kept West Indies in control. Nepal managed just 22 in the first six overs, setting a cautious tempo.
Captain Rohit Paudel was trapped lbw by Matthew Forde for 5, and Lokesh Bam’s 13 ended when Shai Hope held a catch off Shamar Joseph, tightening the squeeze through the middle overs.
The resistance came from Dipendra Singh Airee, who counter-attacked with 58 off 47 balls, striking three fours and three sixes to lift Nepal from 23 for 4 to a more competitive position. Airee found support late from Sompal Kami, who finished unbeaten on 26 off 15 with four boundaries, adding urgency at the death.
West Indies’ bowling was led by Holder’s 4 for 27, with Forde conceding just 10 runs while taking a wicket. Hosein and Roston Chase chipped in with one apiece, as Nepal’s late push could only take them past 130.
West Indies now require 134 to win.
