Under the blazing afternoon sun at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, the West Indies showcased exactly why they are a powerhouse of the T20 format. With a clinical nine-wicket victory over Nepal, the Caribbean side maintained their unbeaten record and became the first team to officially qualify for the Super Eight stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
West Indies captain Shai Hope opted to bowl first, citing a dampness on the surface. His bowlers vindicated that decision immediately, orchestrating a Powerplay performance that essentially decided the game before it had truly begun.
Arm ball: Akeal Hosein removed Kushal Bhurtel in the very first over; the fourth time he has dismissed him in as many T20I meetings.
Seam and swing: Matthew Forde, drafted in for Romario Shepherd, delivered a masterclass in discipline, including a wicket maiden where he trapped Nepal captain Rohit Paudel lbw.
Holder’s entry: Jason Holder struck with his first delivery, leaving Nepal reeling at 22/3 after six overs; the lowest Powerplay score of the tournament so far.
Nepal looked set for a sub-100 total at 46/5 in the 11th over before Dipendra Singh Airee launched a solo rescue mission.
Half-century: Airee became only the second Nepalese batter to score a T20 World Cup fifty, finishing with 58 off 47 balls.
Late Surge: Alongside the veteran Sompal Kami, Airee forged a 54-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Kami brought the crowd to life by hitting three consecutive boundaries off Holder in the 17th over.
Holder’s redemption: Despite the late assault, Holder closed the innings with figures of 4/27, a massive improvement from his expensive outing against England.
Chasing 134 was never going to trouble a batting lineup of West Indies' calibre once the surface eased out.
Hope returns to form: After a quiet start to the tournament, skipper Shai Hope found his rhythm, anchoring the chase with an unbeaten 61 off 44 balls*.
Hetmyer’s fireworks: Shimron Hetmyer continued his destructive streak, racing to 46 off 32 balls*. The pair shared an unbroken 91-run partnership, dismantling Sandeep Lamichhane and the Nepalese attack.
Efficiency: The West Indies reached the target in the 16th over with 28 balls to spare, finishing the game with the same dominance they started with.
