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MUMBAI: West Indies delivered a commanding performance to defeat Nepal by nine wickets and secure qualification for the Super Eight stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing a modest 136, the Caribbean side made the target look routine, reaching 136-1 in just 15.2 overs with a composed and clinical batting display led by captain Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer.
The run chase began positively as Brandon King and Hope stitched a steady 43-run opening stand.
King scored a brisk 22 off 17 balls, striking four boundaries before falling, but his dismissal did little to slow the momentum.
Hetmyer then joined Hope, and the duo ensured there were no further hiccups, building an unbeaten partnership to guide their side home comfortably.
Hope anchored the innings with an unbeaten 61 off 44 deliveries, registering his 10th T20I half-century with five fours and three sixes, while Hetmyer provided strong support with a fluent 46 not out from 32 balls, hitting four boundaries and two sixes.
Earlier, West Indies’ bowlers set up the victory by restricting Nepal to 133-8 in their 20 overs.
All-rounder Jason Holder was the standout performer, claiming 4/27 in his four overs, while Roston Chase, Shamar Joseph, Matthew Forde and Akeal Hosein chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Nepal’s innings never found sustained momentum after early setbacks.
Kushal Bhurtel fell for just one in the opening over, while captain Rohit Paudel and wicketkeeper Aasif Sheikh departed cheaply, leaving the side reeling at 17-3.
Holder and Joseph continued to apply pressure through the middle overs, further denting Nepal’s progress.
A late resistance came through Dipendra Singh Airee and Sompal Kami, who added a valuable 54-run partnership to push Nepal past the 100-run mark.
Airee scored a fighting 58 off 47 balls, including three fours and three sixes, while Kami remained unbeaten on 26 from 15 deliveries with four boundaries.
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