NEP vs WI-A, 1st T20I: Rohit Paudel Notches Historic Century as Nepal Defeat West Indies-A By 4 Wickets

It is a glorious day for cricket fans in Nepal as the Nepal cricket team, powered by their skipper Rohit Paudel’s blazing century, notched an unforgettable 4-wicket win against West Indies A in the first T20I of their five-match series in Kirtipur.

This is the first-ever tour by any West Indies side to Nepal. To date, Nepal has participated in only one match against the West Indies during the Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 in Zimbabwe.

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West Indies took their swing with the bat first, as quickfire innings from the likes of Alick Athanaze and skipper Roston Chase helped the visitors set up a daunting total of 204 in 20 overs.

In desperate need of a strong start, Nepal sent out Anil Sah and Kushal Bhurtel, but neither failed to make an impact as Nepal were pushed to 38-2.

But then, skipper Rohit Paudel stepped up, and put up a masterclass with the bat, as he notched up a match-winning innings of 112 runs in a mere 54 balls, to set up his side for eventual victory.

Paudel’s innings of 112 was peppered with 10 fours and 6 sixes, as the skipper sent thrills down the spine of all 20,000+ fans who had assembled at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground.

Paudel became just the second batter in the history of Nepal cricket to score a hundred in T20s, following right after Lokesh Bam of Nepal-A, who notched one against Ireland-A earlier this year.

With their win, they have now taken a 1-0 lead in the series with the next match set to happen tomorrow.

Initially, Nepal announced a 16-man squad adding Aakash Chand and Aarif Sheikh from the previous squad which participated in the ACC Men’s Premier Cup. Later, Binod Bhandari, Kamal Singh Airee, Sagar Dhakal and Lokesh Bam were added, making it a 20-man squad.

Nepal’s Squad: Rohit Paudel(c), Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Anil Sah, Kushal Malla, Sundeep Jora, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulshan Jha, Bibek Yadav, Pratish GC, Karan KC, Sompal Kami, Abinash Bohara, Lalit Rajbanshi, Aarif Sheikh, Aakash Chand, Binod Bhandari, Lokesh Bam, Kamal Singh Airee and Sagar Dhakal.