In a Group C clash in Mumbai, West Indies took full control of proceedings against Nepal after winning the toss and deciding to bowl first. West Indies managed to pick up 3 wickets in powerplay and kept the runs down and also picked up another post the powerplay. West Indies are blowing hot and Nepal are facing the heat now. They have to bat well to get to a respectable total.
West Indies strikes thrice to rattle Nepal in powerplay.Â
Put into bat first, Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh came out to open for Nepal while Akeal Hosein had ball in hand for West Indies. Hosein struck in his first over as he dismissed Bhurtel for 1 off 3 balls. Hosein bowled a length ball on the off-stump and it just skidded on with the arm. Bhurtel was late on the flick as he looked to go deep in the crease and got beaten as the stumps were rattled. Rohit Paudel came out to bat next.
Matthew Forde had ball in hand from the other end. Aasif hung back and pulled it away in front of midwicket for a boundary. Hosein continued as Paudel paddled it away past Forde at fine leg for a boundary. Sheikh backed away and lofted it over covers for a boundary.
Forde continued and got rid of Paudel with 5 off 7 balls with one boundary to his name. Forde bowled a full ball that jagged back in. Paudel looked to flick but missed it as the ball was pinned on the front pad. Appeal was given. The review was taken and umpire’s call went with the bowling side. The review was saved. Dipendra Singh Airee came out to bat next. Forde bowled a wicket maiden.
Jason Holder came into the attack next and he struck straightaway removing Aasif for 11 off 10 balls with 2 fours to his name. Holder bowled a fullish ball on the pads, Aasif flicked it uppishly to find Hetmyer at deep backward square leg. The catch was taken safely. Aarif Sheikh came out to bat next and got off the mark. Forde continued to bowl the last over of powerplay.
Forde bowled a miserly over as Nepal were 22/3 after 6 overs of powerplay with Aarif on 2* off 6 balls and Airee on 3* off 10 balls. Drinks came onto the field now.
West Indies picks up another wicket and keep the pressure on Nepal till over number 10.Â
Jason Holder continued after the powerplay. Jason struck as he got rid of Sheikh for 2 off 8 balls. He bowled a fuller ball on the pads, the ball rose off the surface a tad. Aaarif looked to flick it but the bounce only allowed height and no distance. Forde from midwicket ran back and took a fine catch at the edge of the circle. Lokesh Bam came out to the middle. Forde bowled his final over and bowled a good over.
Shamar Joseph came into the attack next. Airee broke the shackles as he cut it away to deep third man for a boundary. Gudakesh Motie came into the attack next. Bam went to sweep and got a top edge that flew over the keeper for a boundary. At the completion of 10 overs, Nepal were 42/4 with Airee unbeaten on 12 off 21 balls and Ban unbeaten on 9 off 11 balls. Nepal with all to do in the back 10 overs.
What Lies Ahead.Â
So, West Indies have made a sensational start and rocked Nepal by picking up 4 wickets for 42 runs in 10 overs. They will look to keep Nepal to as low a score as possible. Nepal has to find a way and get to maybe 120 to make a feast of things. But it’s all West Indies as we enter the next half of the innings. Let’s see how things pan out from here.
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