Kathmandu: Nepal created history on Saturday, securing a maiden victory against a full-member nation, defeating the West Indies by 19 runs in the opening match of the three-match Twenty20 International Series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the UAE.

Sent into bat first, Nepal posted 148-8 in their allotted 20 overs before restricting the Caribbean side to 129-9, sealing a landmark win over a Test-playing nation in any format of the game.

The West Indies became the sixth Test-playing opponent Nepal have faced in T20Is, following encounters against Bangladesh, India, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Ireland—all of which had previously ended in defeats.

Chasing a modest target, the West Indies struggled to find rhythm, losing wickets at regular intervals.

Middle-order batter Navin Bidaisee top-scored with 22 off 25 deliveries, while opener Amir Jangoo (19), Fabian Allen (19 not out), captain Akeal Hosein (18), Keacy Carty (16), and Ackeem Auguste (15) chipped in with double figures but failed to build momentum.

Kushal Bhurtel led Nepal’s bowling with two scalps, while Dipendra Singh Airee, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Lalit Rajbanshi, and skipper Rohit Paudel each picked up one wicket.

Earlier, Nepal endured a shaky start after losing openers Kushal Bhurtel (6) and Aasif Sheikh (3) cheaply, leaving them reeling at 12-2. Captain Rohit Paudel and Kushal Malla steadied the innings with a crucial 58-run stand for the third wicket.

Malla contributed 30 off 21 balls, laced with two fours and a six, before falling to Navin Bidaisee, caught by Jason Holder. Paudel top-scored with a composed 38 off 35 deliveries, including three boundaries and a six, before departing to Bidaisee.

Gulshan Jha provided late firepower with a brisk 22 off 16 balls hammering two sixes while Dipendra Singh Airee (17 off 19), Sundeep Jora (9), Sompal Kami (6 not out), and Nandan Yadav (7 not out) added handy runs down the order.

For the West Indies, Jason Holder was the standout bowler, finishing with superb figures of 4-0-20-4, while Bidaisee claimed 3-29 in his four overs.

The second T20I of the series will be played on Tuesday.