West Indies cruised into the Super 8 phase of the 2026 International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup when they got a thumping nine-wicket victory over Nepal in their group C clash at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on February 15.

It was quite a dominant display from coach Daren Sammy’s Windies team, which currently sits atop their group with six points after three consecutive victories. Deemed a potentially tricky encounter for West Indies after a 2-1 series loss to Nepal in September, the regional men made light work of the latter team as they coasted to a 134-run target with more than four overs to spare.

Earlier, an excellent bowling effort which was spearheaded by former captain Jason Holder (four for 27), saw Nepal limited to just 133 for eight after being asked to bat first. Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein (one for 30) got things started in the power play when he bowled Kushal Bhurtel with only the fifth ball of the match, while Bajan pacer Matthew Forde had a great spell with figures of one for ten from his four overs.

Just past the power play, Nepal were reeling at 23 for four as Holder removed the Sheiks – Aasif and Aarif – in consecutive overs. When Shamar Joseph (one for 38) dismissed Lokesh Bam (13) in the 11th over, Nepal were on 46 for five. A 54-run stand for the seventh wicket between Dipendra Singh Airee (58 off 47 balls) and Sompal Kami (26 not out off 15) took Nepal to some respectability as their team crashed 60 runs off the last five overs.

In the chase, the Windies lost opening batsman Brandon King for 22 in the fifth over. However, that would be the only joy for Nepal in the field as captain Shai Hope (61 not out off 44) and the in-form Shimron Hetmyer (46 not out off 32) took the Men in Maroon home with a commanding unbeaten partnership of 91. After smashing leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane for a pair of sixes in the 15th over, Hope fittingly struck the winning run in the subsequent over as the Windies booked their place in the Super 8.

The Men in Maroon will now close out their group campaign against newcomers Italy at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on February 19.

Could the Windies be on to something special at this World Cup? Some intriguing days await.

Summarised Scores:

NEPAL – 133/8 from 20 overs (Dipendra Singh Airee 58, Sompal Kami 26 not out; Jason Holder 4/27, Matthew Forde 1/10) vs WEST INDIES – 134/1 from 15.2 overs (Shai Hope 61 not out, Shimron Hetmyer 46 not out, Brandon King 22; Nandan Yadav 1/24). West Indies won by nine wickets.