West Indies have become the first team to secure a place in the Super Eight stage of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup, following a commanding victory over Nepal on Sunday, 15 February. With this win, the Caribbean side maintained a perfect record in the group stage, winning all three of their matches and confirming their qualification with one group match still remaining.
The encounter took place at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where Nepal, having lost the toss, were asked to bat first. Under sustained pressure from the West Indies’ pace attack, the Himalayan nation managed to post a modest total of 133 for 8 in their 20 overs.
Nepal’s innings was bolstered by a determined knock from Dipendra Singh, who top-scored with 58 runs off 47 balls. Support came from Sompal Kami (26), Lokesh Bam (13) and Asif Sheikh (11). West Indies’ captain Jason Holder led the bowling effort, claiming four crucial wickets.
Nepal Batting Scorecard:
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dipendra Singh | 58 | 47 | 123.4 |
| Sompal Kami | 26 | 20 | 130.0 |
| Lokesh Bam | 13 | 12 | 108.3 |
| Asif Sheikh | 11 | 9 | 122.2 |
Chasing 134 runs, West Indies got off to a solid start through openers Brandon King and Shai Hope, who stitched together a 43-run opening partnership. King contributed 22 runs off 17 balls before falling, but Hope’s aggressive stroke play kept the momentum with the team.
Middle-order batsman Shimron Hetmyer joined Hope and together they punished the Nepalese bowlers. West Indies reached their target in just 16.4 overs, winning by 9 wickets with ample deliveries to spare. Hope remained unbeaten on 61 from 44 balls, while Hetmyer finished unbeaten on 46 from 32 balls.
West Indies Batting Scorecard:
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon King | 22 | 17 | 129.4 | Out |
| Shai Hope | 61 | 44 | 138.6 | Not out |
| Shimron Hetmyer | 46 | 32 | 143.8 | Not out |
This emphatic victory not only secured West Indies’ Super Eight berth but also demonstrated their formidable balance of bowling discipline and explosive batting. Their unbeaten streak in the group stage positions them as strong contenders for the tournament, while Nepal will now look to regroup ahead of their remaining matches.
With the Super Eight confirmed, West Indies can now plan their strategy for the next stage with confidence, aiming to carry their winning momentum forward into the knockout rounds.