Nepal
West Indies
Nepal will take on the West Indies in the 1st T20I of the Asia Cup 2025 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. This will be Nepal’s first-ever T20I meeting with West Indies, making it a big moment in their cricket journey. This 3-match series will be Nepal's first bilateral series against a Full Member nation.
West Indies will enter the match as favourites despite their recent form. They have lost back-to-back series against Pakistan and Australia and managed to win only 1 of their last 5 T20I games. The team will be led by Akeal Hosein and will include 5 uncapped players, with some regulars rested.
Under Rohit Paudel’s captaincy, Nepal have won 2 of their last 5 T20Is. However, their wins have come against lower-ranked sides. The challenge against a power-hitting West Indies team will be far tougher, even though the visitors are struggling for form.
West Indies have a more experienced and balanced bowling attack with Jason Holder, Obed McCoy, Akeal Hosein and Fabian Allen, who together have over 700 T20 wickets.
The betting tip is...
Top Bowler's Team - West Indies
66 %
34 %
NepalWest IndiesNepal will recall Mohammad Aadil Alam and Sundeep Jora for the upcoming T20I series against the West Indies. Lalit Rajbanshi, who missed the Top End T20 series in Australia, will also return to the squad. This will be a significant series as Nepal face the West Indies for the first time in men’s cricket.
The team will be led by Rohit Paudel, with Dipendra Singh Airee as vice-captain. The batting unit will rely heavily on Kusal Bhurtel, who has scored 387 runs in his last 10 matches at an average of 55 and a SR of 140. The middle order will be strengthened with Airee and Jora’s inclusion.
The bowling attack will revolve around Sandeep Lamichhane, who has taken 9 wickets in his last 4 games, and Sompal Kami has 11 wickets in his last 6 outings. Lokesh Bam and Rajbanshi are also key bowlers.
Burtel, Paudel and Lamichhane are the key players.
Predicted Lineup: Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Rohit Paudel (c), Aarif Sheikh (wk), Dipendra Singh Airee, Lokesh Bam, Sundeep Jora, Kushal Malla, Sompal Kami, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi.
West Indies will approach the Nepal series with a fresh squad as several senior players are missing. Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford and Romario Shepherd will be rested, while Shimron Hetmyer has made himself unavailable. This allows new faces to step up in international cricket.
The squad will feature 5 uncapped players. Ackeem Auguste will take a top-order role, Navin Bidaisee will add depth as a batting allrounder, Zishan Motara will provide spin options, Ramon Simmonds will bring left-arm pace, and Amir Jangoo will serve as a wicketkeeper-batter. Karima Gore, who has previously played eight T20Is for the USA, will also look to receive his cap for the West Indies.
Experienced names like Fabian Allen, Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers will support skipper Akeal Hosein, who will lead West Indies for the first time in any format.
Holder, Hosein and Mayers are the key players.
Predicted Lineup: Ackeem Auguste, Jewel Andrew (wk), Keacy Carty, Kyle Mayers, Jason Holder, Fabian Allen, Amir Jangoo, Akeal Hosein (c), Shamar Springer, Ramon Simmonds, Obed McCoy.
This match will see a strong contest between Nepal’s emerging bowling unit and the West Indies’ proven attack. Nepal will rely heavily on Sandeep Lamichhane, who has picked 225 wickets in his T20 career.
Sompal Kami has been consistent with 11 wickets in his last 6 outings, while Lalit Rajbanshi will add further support, but the pressure of facing higher-ranked opposition will be a big challenge.
On the other hand, the West Indies will field a more experienced bowling group. Jason Holder with 324 T20 wickets, Obed McCoy with his variations and Shamar Springer’s pace will test Nepal’s batters.
The spin duo of Akeal Hosein and Fabian Allen has over 400 wickets combined and will make the attack look more complete and harder to face for Nepal’s batters.
