Nepal Clinches Consolation Victory Over West Indies ‘A’ in Final T20 Encounter
Nepal Snags a Significant Win in T20 Series Last Match against West Indies A, Providing Some Comfort After Series Loss In a nail-biting match at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Nepal salvaged some pride with a convincing six-wicket victory over West Indies A. However, the win wasn’t enough to overturn the series deficit, as the visitors secured a 3-2 series win.
West Indies A, electing to bat first, posted a competitive 172 on the board. Alick Athanaze scored a brisk 42, while skipper Roston Chase and opener Johnson Charles chipped in with valuable contributions. Nepal’s bowling attack, spearheaded by the impressive Sagar Dhakal and Sompal Kami, kept the Windies in check, picking up wickets regularly.
Chasing a tricky target, Nepal lost their opener, Kushal Bhurtel, early. But the middle-order duo of Asif Sheikh and Anil Shah stepped up to the challenge, stitching together a match-winning 96-run partnership. Asif, playing with breathtaking power, smashed a 32-ball fifty, including five sixes, while Anil anchored the chase with a composed 58 off 41 deliveries. Kushal Malla finished things off with an unbeaten 37, ensuring Nepal crossed the finish line comfortably with an over to spare. The West Indies A bowlers, however, put up a tough fight.
This victory, though a consolation one, displayed the character and fighting spirit of the Nepali team. Asif and Anil, with their maiden T20 fifties in the series, were the undoubted heroes for the home side. The match was a rollercoaster ride, keeping the crowd thoroughly engaged with twists and turns. While they couldn’t clinch the series, Nepal can take heart from their spirited performance, particularly the individual brilliance showcased by their batsmen.