Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Feb 16: West Indies produced a disciplined all-round performance to defeat Nepal and confirm their place in the Super Eights of the T20 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.
With a fresh pitch offering moisture and assistance for bowlers, West Indies skipper Shai Hope opted to bowl after winning the toss — a decision that paid rich dividends.
Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein set the tone early, dismissing Nepal opener Kushal Bhurtel with an arm ball that rattled the stumps. From the other end, Matthew Forde, drafted in due to a niggle to Romario Shepherd, delivered a probing spell with the new ball.
Forde’s pace, bounce and movement kept Nepal’s batters under constant pressure. His tight lines and sharp nip-backers restricted scoring opportunities as Nepal crawled to 22 for 3 in the powerplay — the second-lowest powerplay total in this T20 World Cup.
He finished with impressive figures of 4-1-10-1.
“Mathew has been incredible for us in the powerplay since returning from injury,” Hope said after the match.
Nepal struggled throughout against disciplined bowling in challenging conditions. Aasif Sheikh fell attempting to capitalise on a loose delivery from Jason Holder, while Aarif Sheikh holed out to Forde as Nepal slipped to 23 for 4. At the halfway stage, they were 42 for 4 — the second-lowest 10-over score of the tournament.
Holder was outstanding in the death overs, claiming four wickets to cap a dominant bowling display. Every wicket was loudly celebrated by head coach Daren Sammy from the dugout as West Indies tightened their grip on the contest.
Nepal were eventually restricted to 133, and West Indies chased down the target comfortably to register their third successive win in the tournament.
Holder later revealed that the team had held “in-depth conversations” in the dressing room following recent series defeats to South Africa and Afghanistan, which he said had reflected in the side’s improved maturity.
“Different people have stepped up in different games. The key is to stay focused and continue this momentum,” Holder said.
With both their bowling and batting units clicking in unison, West Indies now head into their final league game with their Super Eights qualification already secured.