Jason Holder’s magnificent bowling attack helped the West Indies set up a nine-wicket victory against Nepal and send them straight into the Super Eight stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium in India.
For the third time in as many matches, the Windies’ bowlers were on point, with Player-of-the-Match Holder’s four-wicket haul contributing to restricting Nepal to an insignificant 133 for eight from their 20 overs, after they were sent in to bat.
Captain Shai Hope scored an unbeaten half-century, while Shimron Hetmyer continued his impressive form as the regional side reached 134 for one in 15.2 overs to record their third successive win in as many matches in Group C.
The result carried them to a maximum of six points and ensured qualification to the next stage of the tournament ahead of their final match against Italy.
Nepal was never really in the contest after losing the toss and being asked to bat first.
Akeal Hosein struck in the day’s first over when he bowled Kushal Bhurtel with his fifth delivery.
Rohit Paudel scored only five runs before he was trapped lbw by Matthew Forde, and without another run added, Jason Holder had Aasif Sheikh caught with his first ball of the fifth over, to leave Nepal stumbling on 17 for three.
Being restricted to 22 for three after six overs, things got even worse for Nepal when Holder had Aarif Sheikh caught for just two to see them slip further into trouble at 23 for four.
Lokesh Bam then gloved Shamar Joseph behind, and Roston Chase bowled Gulsan Jha. Nepal fell to 73 for six and looked to be in even deeper trouble.
But a 54-run partnership between Dipendra Airee and Sompal Kami lifted the innings.
Through their efforts, they made 60 runs off the last five overs, with Airee scoring 58 off 47 balls with three sixes and three fours, while Kami hit an unbeaten 26 off 15 balls with four boundaries.
Holder returned to break the partnership, dismissing Airee and then Karan KC in the last over.
He finished with figures of 4-27 from his four overs.
In reply, West Indies had a start by openers Brandon King and Hope, as they added 43 runs for the first wicket in five and a half overs. King was caught by a delivery from Nandan Yadav after scoring 22 off 17 balls.
Hetmyer and Hope then shared a 91-run unbroken partnership to carry the Windies to victory.
Hetmyer scored an unbeaten 46 off 32 balls, inclusive of four fours and two sixes.
Hope brought up his 10th T20I half-century off 38 balls by hitting Lamichhane for six, as the Windies sped to 122 for one in the 15th over.
He then scored the winning runs with a single off Airee with 28 balls to spare to continue the Windies’ unbeaten streak in the T20 World Cups.
