Nepal Captain Rohit Paudel Dedicates Historic Win Over West Indies to Fallen Protesters

Nepal scripted history on Saturday, September 28, by defeating two-time world champions West Indies by 19 runs in the opening T20I of their maiden bilateral series against a Full ICC Member. The win in the UAE marked Nepal’s first-ever victory over a Full Member nation, cementing it as the country’s biggest achievement yet in international cricket.

Skipper Rohit Paudel, who played a crucial role with bat and ball and was named Player of the Match, dedicated the triumph to the martyrs of recent protests in Nepal, where dozens of young demonstrators lost their lives.

“It’s feeling great, a long wait to beat a Test-playing country, that too in a series we are hosting. I want to dedicate this award to the martyrs back home who participated in the protest. The last month has not been great for us, so if we can give a little bit of happiness to the people of Nepal, that would be great,” Paudel said.

He added that this win was 'just the beginning' for Nepal cricket. “The mindset was very clear, if we are coming here, we are there to win the series. We will stay grounded, do the process right, and see whatever comes next.”

The demonstrations he referenced began after Nepal’s government temporarily blocked social media platforms such as Facebook, X and YouTube, citing regulatory disputes. The ban quickly escalated into wider protests against alleged corruption and state violence, leading to violent clashes with police that left at least 22 people dead and hundreds more injured.

Put in to bat, Nepal made a shaky start at 12 for 2 after early strikes from Akeal Hosein and Jason Holder. Paudel (38) and Kushal Malla (30) rebuilt with a 58-run partnership to steady the innings.

Dipendra Singh Airee (24) and Gulsan Jha chipped in with valuable runs, while West Indies’ sloppy fielding helped Nepal reach 148 for 8 despite Holder’s three-wicket burst in the 19th over.

West Indies stumbled early in the chase when Kyle Mayers was run out by a sharp throw from Aasif Sheikh Bhurtel. Debutant Ackeem Auguste (15) tried to counter with two sixes, but Nepal’s spinners tightened their grip.

Lalit Rajbanshi and Paudel bowled with control through the middle overs, while Airee’s direct hit dismissed Keacy Carty. With Holder (5) also falling cheaply, West Indies lost momentum.

Despite late blows from Hosein and Fabian Allen, Karan KC’s strike in the 19th over ensured the Caribbean side folded at 129 for 9.

A defining moment

Nepal had previously beaten Afghanistan in 2014, when the latter were still an Associate Member. Saturday’s triumph stands as their first victory against a Full ICC Member, achieved in their maiden T20I clash with the West Indies.

For Paudel and his side, the win was more than just a cricketing milestone — it was a source of pride and solace for a nation in turmoil.