In a gripping Group C clash at Wankhede Stadium, Nepal has set West Indies a challenging target of 134 runs in their T20 World Cup 2026 encounter. Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, the Caribbean side watched as Nepal recovered from early blows to post 133 for 8 in 20 overs.
Nepal’s innings started disastrously, losing opener Kushal Bhurtel for a duck with just 2 runs on the board. The top order crumbled quickly, with wickets tumbling at regular intervals. Wicketkeeper Asif Sheikh managed 11, skipper Rohit Paudel scored 5, Arif Sheikh added 2, Lokesh Bam contributed 13, and Gulshan Jha made 11 before departing.
At 73 for 6, Nepal seemed down and out. But a heroic 54-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Deependra Singh Airee and Sompal Kami turned the tide. Batting at number four, Deependra unleashed a match-defining knock of 58 off 47 balls, smashing 3 fours and 3 sixes. Kami remained unbeaten on 26 from 15 deliveries, laced with 4 boundaries.
The last three overs proved decisive, yielding 41 crucial runs that lifted Nepal to a competitive total. West Indies’ Jason Holder starred with the ball, claiming 4 wickets for 27 runs in his 4 overs. Matthew Forde picked 1 for 10, Shamar Joseph 1 for 38, Akeal Hosein 1 for 30, and Roston Chase 1 for 10.
Coming off a stunning win over England and a humiliating loss to Italy, Nepal desperately needs this victory to stay alive in the tournament. A defeat here would eliminate them from contention. West Indies now face the pressure of chasing 134 on a Wankhede pitch known for its bounce and carry. Can the Caribbeans navigate this test, or will Nepal spring another upset?