LIVE: West Indies hold Nepal to lowest powerplay score in T20 World Cup history
West Indies delivered a clinical bowling display at the Wankhede Stadium, reducing Nepal to 22/3 at the end of the six-over powerplay — the lowest opening salvo ever recorded in T20 World Cup history. The Caribbean side, buoyed by a statement win over England earlier in the tournament, elected to bowl and struck early to put Nepal on the back foot.
Bowling blitz sets the tone
Electing to field first, the West Indies struck in quick succession. Akeal Hosein removed Kushal Bhurtel with a delivery that skidded onto the stumps and offered no respite to Nepal’s top order. Matthew Forde then trapped captain Rohit Paudel leg before wicket, and Jason Holder followed up with the dismissal of Aasif Sheikh. The trio of early strikes left Nepal reeling and ensured the innings stagnated through the first six overs.
The early wickets highlighted two themes: disciplined line and length from the West Indies seamers and smart use of variations in the powerplay. Hosein’s ability to keep the ball low, Forde’s control with the new ball and Holder’s experience under pressure combined to choke scoring opportunities and manufacture regular breakthroughs. Field placements were sharp and the visitors took advantage of a surface where the ball was holding its line.
Nepal’s top order under pressure — can the middle order rescue them?
Nepal’s top three failed to build the kind of platform needed against a polished attack. With Bhurtel, Paudel and Aasif back in the pavilion early, the onus shifts to the middle order — names such as Dipendra Singh Airee, Aarif Sheikh and Lokesh Bam — to rebuild and provide momentum through the middle overs. The presence of seasoned campaigners like Sompal Kami and Sandeep Lamichhane gives Nepal options with both seam and spin, but they will need calm, aggressive partnerships to change the momentum of this contest.
Scoring will be difficult if the ball keeps skidding and the boundaries remain hard to come by. Nepal’s batting unit has shown flashes in the tournament but remains brittle against incisive fast bowling. Recovering from 22/3 will require clear plans: rotate strike effectively, target loose deliveries, and avoid escalating risk until set players can accelerate in the back half of the innings.
Match implications and what to watch next
For the West Indies, maintaining this intensity can cement their place in the Super 8 phase as they look to remain unbeaten after their earlier victory over England. The bowling unit has found rhythm and confidence at a crucial stage of the tournament, and the batting line-up — featuring Brandon King, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell — will be keen to chase a modest total with minimal fuss.
For Nepal, this match is must-watch in more ways than one: they have lost their first two T20 World Cup fixtures and need a strong response to keep realistic hopes of advancing. How the middle order responds once the powerplay ends will determine whether this game slips away early or becomes a tight contest heading into the closing overs.
On the same day, other group fixtures will continue to shape the standings, but for now the spotlight is firmly on the Wankhede where bowlers have the upper hand. In a tournament known for fast turnarounds, a single partnership or a quickfire cameo could yet rewrite the script — but early signs suggest this could be the West Indies’ day in what remains a tantalising nepal vs west indies encounter.
