Kathmandu: Nepal set a 149-run target for West Indies in their opening match of the three-match Twenty20 International Series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the UAE on Saturday.

Sent to bat first, Nepal posted 148-8 in the allotted 20 overs. The innings got off to a shaky start with the early dismissal of Kushal Bhurtel (6) and Aasif Sheikh (3), leaving Nepal struggling at 12-2.

Captain Rohit Paudel and Kushal Malla steadied the innings, adding 58 runs for the third wicket.

Malla struck 30 off 21 balls, including two boundaries and a six, before being caught by Jason Holder off Navin Bidaisee.

Paudel top-scored for Nepal with 38 off 35 deliveries, smashing three fours and a six. He was dismissed by Navin, caught by Acheem Auguste.

Gulshan Jha provided late momentum with a quick-fire 22 off 16 balls, featuring two sixes, while Dipendra Singh Airee added 17 from 19. Sundeep Jora (9), Sompal Kami (6 not out), and Nandan Yadav (7 not out) chipped in with useful runs down the order.

For West Indies, Jason Holder starred with the ball, returning with figures of 4-0-20-4, while Navin Bidaisee claimed 3-29 in his four-over spell.