West Indies became the first team to advance to the Super Eights stage of the T20 World Cup after a dominant nine-wicket victory against Nepal on Sunday.
After restricting Nepal to 133-8 in their allotted 20 overs at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, West Indies captain Shai Hope played a masterful innings, scoring 61 not out to guide his team to 134-1 in 15.2 overs.
Hope reached his fifty off just 38 deliveries, striking three sixes and five fours, and then shared an unbeaten 91-run partnership with Shimron Hetmyer, who finished 46 not out from 32 balls with two sixes and four fours, sealing the win with 28 balls remaining.
Reflecting on the qualification, Hope said it was “one step, one hurdle that we’ve crossed” and added, “Good to contribute to wins,” acknowledging his improved performance after scores of 19 and 0 in West Indies’ previous two matches.
Winning the toss and choosing to field proved decisive, as Matthew Forde delivered a brilliant bowling spell. Nepal struggled against him, managing little as Forde picked up 1-10 in four overs, including the important wicket of Nepal captain Rohit Paudel for five.
Hope praised Forde, saying, “You must give him credit, he’s been hitting his areas. He really exploits the movement.”
Nepal found themselves in deep trouble early, losing three wickets for 22 runs in the six-over powerplay, then 23-4 and 46-5, with Jason Holder also taking key wickets. A resilient 58 from Dipendra Singh Airee, along with a 54-run stand for the seventh wicket with Sompal Kami (26*), helped Nepal cross 100.
Hope added, “I am glad that I got an opportunity to decide what we wanted to do. We wanted to limit the flow of runs and keep taking wickets.”
Holder was outstanding with the ball, taking 4-27 in his four overs and earning the Player of the Match award. He said, “I thought the ball did a little bit more, probably held in the surface a little more up front. It became a little more difficult to hit through the line of the ball. We were able to get a little movement, which was key. Our bowlers bowled a really tight line.”
With this defeat, Nepal is eliminated from the tournament after three losses. They will face Scotland in their final Group C match in Mumbai on Tuesday.
West Indies will take on Italy in Kolkata for their last group game on Thursday before returning to Mumbai for their Super Eights opener on February 23, with their next opponent yet to be determined.