The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has witnessed its first major statement of intent as the West Indies dismantled Nepal in a Group C encounter at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. In the 25th match of the tournament, the Caribbean side showcased a masterclass in disciplined bowling and clinical finishing, securing a 9-wicket victory that officially books their place in the Super 8 stage.
The atmosphere in Mumbai was electric as the start saw the Windies’ pace battery exploit the early moisture and bounce of the Wankhede deck. Nepal, hoping to play the role of giant-killers, found themselves suffocated by a professional West Indian outfit that left no room for error.
Jason holder rips through Nepal with a sensational spell at Wankhede
The narrative of the first innings was written almost entirely by the towering figure of Jason Holder. While Akeal Hosein provided the initial breakthrough by cleaning up Kushal Bhurtel in the very first over, it was Holder who broke the back of the Nepalese batting order. Utilizing his height to extract uncomfortable steep bounce, Holder finished with sensational figures of 4/27 in his four-over quota.
Nepal struggled to build any momentum, collapsing to a precarious 23/4 by the seventh over. Holder’s victims included the dangerous Aasif Sheikh and the set Dipendra Singh Airee, the latter being the only Nepalese batter to offer significant resistance. Airee’s gritty 58 off 47 balls (including three boundaries and two maximums) and a late unbeaten cameo from Sompal Kami (26 off 15) pushed the total to a respectable 133/8. However, against a powerhouse West Indian lineup, a target of 134 always felt sub-par on a ground known for its high-scoring nature.
Jason Holder comes up trumps with the ball in West Indies’ solid win over Nepal🙌
He wins @aramco POTM🏅
📝: https://t.co/CJzUhQjulG pic.twitter.com/uwf1RzDQri
— ICC (@ICC) February 15, 2026
Also WATCH: Dipendra Singh Airee anchors Nepal with a thrilling counterattack against West Indies at Wankhede
Dominant chase propels West Indies into the Super 8s of T20 World Cup 2026
If the first half of the match belonged to the bowlers, the second was a testament to the West Indies’ batting depth and composure. The chase began with a brief flourish from Brandon King, who struck 22 off 17 before falling to Nandan Yadav in the 6th over. From that point on, it was a one-sided affair as Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer orchestrated an unbeaten 91-run partnership.
Skipper Shai Hope led from the front, anchoring the innings with a sophisticated 61 off 44 balls, reaching his half-century with a mix of elegant drives and calculated aggression. At the other end, Shimron Hetmyer played the aggressor role to perfection, bludgeoning 46 off 32 balls to ensure the net run rate remained healthy.
Shai Hope played a captain’s knock for the Windies 🙂#cricket #WIvNEP #T20WorldCup #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/Fj7aUM5O0p
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 15, 2026
The Windies reached the target of 134 with 28 balls to spare, finishing the game in just 15.2 overs. This victory not only cements their dominance in Group C but also sends a clear message to their upcoming Super 8 rivals. For Nepal, the match served as a harsh lesson in competing against elite Tier-1 nations, though the fight shown by Airee and Kami provided a silver lining to an otherwise tough day at the office.
West Indies thrash Nepal to enter the Super 8 🔥#cricket #WIvNEP #T20WorldCup #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/M1adP7c8Bt
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 15, 2026
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