Amidst the picturesque backdrop of Kirtipur’s Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, an electrifying cricket duel unfolded between West Indies A and Nepal that saw the former securing a nail-biting 10-run win. The riveting match, part of the second unofficial T20I, witnessed both teams putting forth a spirited performance. However, it was the West Indies A team that emerged victorious, drawing the series level with one win each on Sunday.
The day belonged to West Indies A’s star spinner Gudakesh Motie who illuminated the ground with a scintillating all-round performance. Not only did he exhibit prowess with the ball, but his blitz with the bat in the dying overs proved instrumental in setting a formidable target. The Caribbean side defended their score of 160 heartily, creating moments of thrill throughout the contest.
Andre Fletcher, the vintage wicketkeeper-batsman, steadied the West Indies A innings with a calculated 43 runs off 36 balls. But it was Motie’s hurricane cameo that stole the show, blasting 33 not out off a mere 8 balls, thus propelling the visitors to a total of 160/7. His remarkable strike rate of 412.50 left the spectators and the Nepalese bowlers astounded as he launched two fours and four sixes into the stands.
Nepal, not deterred by their opponent’s strong finish, approached the chase with high spirits, encouraged by their successful run in the first unofficial T20I where they achieved a historic 205-run target. However, their start was less than ideal with the top order crumbling early in the innings.
Rohit Paudel, the Nepalese captain, stood as a beacon of resistance, showcasing extraordinary skill and temperament. Following up on his centurion effort in the first game, Paudel churned out a valiant 71 not out off 48 balls, further cementing his reputation as a reliable match-winner. Alas, his heroics were not complemented by his teammates, as Nepal struggled to keep up with the escalating run rate, especially in the critical death overs.
The chase, initially rekindled by a partnership between Paudel and Gulsan Jha, ultimately succumbed to the mounting pressure. The West Indies A bowlers executed their plans with precision, ensuring that the required boundaries were kept at bay during the concluding phase of the game. Nepal’s innings wrapped up at 150/9, falling just 10 runs short of victory.
Earlier in the encounter, Nepal’s bowlers had succeeded in keeping the West Indies A lineup under check for the majority of their innings. Young left-arm spinner Sagar Dhakal made significant inroads, claiming important wickets at the onset. Sompal Kami and Dipendra Singh Airee provided valuable contributions, each taking a wicket to keep the opposition’s score in check.
As the dust settled on this gripping contest, there were mixed feelings in the Nepalese camp. While they demonstrated remarkable progress and fighting spirit worthy of praise as they march toward the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, there was also the sobering realization that there’s room for improvement, particularly in maintaining momentum and capitalizing on the starts.
For West Indies A, the victory brought relief and a chance to regroup, reinforcing their ability to defend a score through collective team effort and individual brilliance. The stage is now set for a thrilling conclusion to the series, with both teams eyeing the winning trophy.
