WI avoids Series sweep

West Indies’ Jason Holder bowling during the third Men’s International Twenty20 match at the Utilita Bowl, Southampton on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
PA via Reuters

The West Indies finally won against Nepal in the third and final T20 match at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates when they registered a thumping 10-wicket victory.

However, Nepal still won the series 2-1 and created history as the International Cricket Council associate nation registered a series win over a full member nation for the first time. 

Batting first for a third straight time in the series, Nepal had their worst time at the crease as they were bowled out for 122 from 19.5 overs. Left-arm seamer Ramon Simmonds was brilliant with the ball for West Indies as he bagged four for 15 from three overs.

Akeal Hosein of West Indies bowls during the 2nd International T20 match between England and West Indies at Seat Unique on 8 June 2025 in Bristol.
Akeal Hosein of West Indies bowls during the 2nd International T20 match between England and West Indies at Seat Unique on 8 June 2025 in Bristol.Photo by Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

Another left-arm seamer, Jediah Blades, took two for 20 as the West Indies bowlers had their best showing in the series. Akeal Hosein and former West Indies captain Jason Holder chipped in to take a wicket.

Nepal had a good start, scoring 41 runs without losing any wickets, before Holder struck at the end of the seventh over. After moving up to 75 for 2, Nepal mighty collapsed, as Simmonds and Blades struck timely blows, and the West Indies took the last eight wickets for just 47 runs.

Opening batsman Kushal Bhurtel, named Player of the Series, top scored with 39 off 29 balls.

The West Indies batsmen struggled throughout the series, especially in the second T20 match, when they were bowled out for just 83 runs by a very efficient effort from the Nepalese.

However, in the final game, left-handed openers Amir Jangoo and Ackeem Auguste joined forces to take the Men in Maroon to 123 without loss from just 12.2 overs.

Jangoo brought up his maiden T20 international fifty off 38 balls with back-to-back sixes off Bhurtel in the 11th over and finished the game with a six off Sompal Kami. He ended with 74 off 45 deliveries, including 6 sixes and 5 fours.

The 22-year-old Auguste ended on 41, not out of 29 balls, with 4 fours and 2 sixes.