T20 World Cup 2026 [WATCH]: Dipendra Singh Airee anchors Nepal with a thrilling counterattack against West Indies at Wankhede

The iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai played host to a gripping Group C encounter as Nepal took on the heavyweights, West Indies, in the 25th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Under the afternoon sun and amidst a vocal crowd, the narrative of the first innings was one of survival, grit, and a stunning late-over blitz. After West Indies won the toss and elected to field, their pace attack initially looked set to steamroll the Rhinos, but Dipendra Singh Airee produced a masterclass in counter-attacking cricket to lead a remarkable Nepali recovery.

The match began with West Indies asserting total dominance. Matthew Forde and Akeal Hosein exploited the early movement under the humid Mumbai skies, leaving Nepal reeling at a precarious 17/3 within the first five overs. The top order struggled to cope with the bounce and discipline of the Caribbean veterans, with captain Rohit Paudel falling victim to a marginal LBW call via DRS. When Aarif Sheikh departed for a sluggish 2 off 8 balls, Nepal looked in danger of a sub-100 total, sitting at 23/4 after the Powerplay—the lowest of the tournament so far at this venue.

Dipendra Singh Airee rescues Nepal with a sensational innings against West Indies 

With the scorecard reading a dismal 46/5 in the 11th over, the stage was set for Nepal’s premier all-rounder, Airee, to showcase his maturity. Rather than swinging blindly, Airee anchored the innings with tactical precision. He initially rotated the strike, finding the gaps against the spin of Gudakesh Motie and Roston Chase. However, it was the arrival of Sompal Kami at the fall of the sixth wicket that truly shifted the momentum.

The duo orchestrated a sensational 50-run partnership off just 24 balls for the seventh wicket. Airee, who eventually reached a gritty 58 off 47 balls, unleashed a flurry of boundaries, including three towering sixes that cleared the Wankhede ropes with ease. His ability to manipulate the field forced West Indies captain Shai Hope to rethink his death-over strategies. While Airee played the role of the aggressor, Kami provided the perfect foil, remaining unbeaten on a rapid 26 off 15 balls, ensuring the tail wagged effectively.

Here’s the video:

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Nepal put up a competitive total in a crucial T20 World Cup 2026 encounter

Despite the late-innings fireworks, Jason Holder proved why he remains a vital cog in the West Indies machine. Holder was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with exceptional figures of 4/27, including the crucial wicket of Airee in the final over just as he looked to clear the boundary once more. Shamar Joseph and Forde provided strong support, keeping the pressure on the lower order despite the late leak of runs.

Nepal finished their 20 overs at 133/8, a total that seemed improbable during the first ten overs. The match flow suggests a game of two halves: the West Indies dominated the Powerplay (22 runs, 3 wickets), but Nepal roared back in the final five overs, plundering 60 runs at an economy of 12.00. The momentum from that late counter-attack has given the Nepali bowlers something to defend on a pitch that is showing signs of slowing down.

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