West Indies vs Nepal, 25th Match, Group C, ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 - Commentary

So West Indies are officially the first team into the next stage. Nepal go home but not before their last game. The toss for USA v Namibia is just moments away. Head over to that tab to follow all that. For now it's bye bye from all of us here.

Shai Hope | West Indies captain: "(On progressing to the Super Eights) Very pleasing, this is what we set out to do from the time we got here. That's the one step, one hurdle that we crossed, now on to the next stage. (On the bowling performance today) Firstly I'm glad that I actually got the opportunity to decide what I wanted to do first. Yeah, the guys put the ball in the right areas. It's something that Matthew (Forde) has been doing very well, especially at the start of the innings and putting them under pressure for the entire time. It was difficult work for them in the powerplay and then throughout the innings, just about trying to limit the flow of runs and keep picking up wickets. We didn't pick up as many wickets as we wanted in the back end, but very happy with the bowlers today. (Why so pleasing to win the toss?) Like I said at the toss, the surface had a bit of moisture in it. I just felt that we could have exploited it a bit better rather than bowling second. It's something I've been struggling with, the last couple of series, I didn't win a toss. I don't think I've won a toss in the last six months, who knows. But yeah, it's just nice to get out there and actually decide what I wanted to do this time. (On his batting) Yes, again, good to contribute. I wouldn't say I was running out of form, but it's nice to contribute to wins. Yes, it's crunch time now, back into the group stages and then into the Super Eights. That's where you really want to be firing as a batter. So, happy to get some runs on the board. (How will WI approach the final group stage match?) Just about continuing the brand of cricket we want to play and ensuring that we are hitting our straps. Focusing on the little details that we tend to neglect every now and again. Just about continuing the way we've been playing. We've been playing really good cricket with the last couple of games and series. Just we'll bring it together and hope we can carry it all the way through to the back end of the tournament. (On Forde) Yeah, you must give him credit. Credit always where it's due. He's been hitting his areas, making it very difficult for batters at the top of the innings. He's not express pace, but he makes it very difficult for them. He moves the ball just enough and that's what you need, especially in this phase of the game where it doesn't really swing as much. He really exploited as much of that movement as he possibly can. Happy to see him going well and it's great to see the bowlers firing along with the batters. So, complete cricket for us this time."

Rohit Paudel | Nepal captain: "Yeah, it was a challenge, especially the way Forde and Akeal and Jason  were bowling in the powerplay. I think they were using the conditions really well. And it was a challenge, but I think as a batting unit, we again failed. So as a batting unit, we need to step up, I think. (Learnings after two below-par batting performances) I think we are missing on the batting partnerships. We are lacking on that. Especially, we are getting the partnerships of 20-30s, but we are not stretching it. And as a batsman, I think, whoever is getting 20-30s, we are not converting it into the big ones. So I think that are the areas where as a batting unit, we need to step up. (On Dipendra Singh Airee's half-century) I think he took his time and he played really well. Especially at the end of the innings, he accelerated his innings. But eventually, in the start of the innings, the wicket was very difficult, but still he managed to wait for his time and when he got his opportunity, he cashed in. So I think from him, we need to learn that. (How do you isolate your team from the outside noise?) I think keeping outside noise outside is very important. If you keep listening to outside noise, it will be hard for all the players to perform in the next match. So we are keeping it outside and when the team is losing, it is very important to keep everyone very positive and we are trying to do that."

Jason Holder | Player of the Match: "(Anything done differently today to bring success?) Yeah, I mean, it was a different game, obviously a day game. I thought the ball did a little bit more. Probably held in the surface a little bit more upfront. And it became a little bit more difficult to hit through the line of the ball. We were able to get a little bit of movement as well too which was key. And I thought our bowlers bowled a really tight line to them as well upfront, which was very, very key in terms of our execution. So, you know, credit not only to me, but I mean, to Matthew (Forde) as well, I thought Matthew bowled an outstanding spell upfront to set the tone for us. And then we were able to adjust from there. (On his death bowling and bowling yorkers from round the wicket) Yeah, it's something I've been practising now for a little while, you know, I've just been happy that, you know, I've been comfortable enough in the game to go round the wicket at times. I try to change the angles, as you've said. I think for me, it's just trying not to be too predictable. I'm also just varying with the positions at the crease and just trying to execute a few more yorkers and maybe on the wide line as well. So for me, it's just trying to be a little bit more unpredictable and then at times, you know, understanding when I could change the angle to a particular player. (Role amongst the bowling group and his leadership) Yeah, I think one of my key roles is obviously just to help the guys as much as possible, especially when we're under pressure. For me, I just try to share as much information as possible. I don't know it all, but I mean, I have played enough cricket that I can give a few more insights as to, you know what, a few suggestions. I think our bowlers have been very receptive to it, you know, credit to everyone. I think we've really, you know, sat and spoken about a few things at length, you know, which has really helped us in our planning and preparation. So credit to the boys again. You know, I think for me, it's just keeping my head above water in terms of sharing as much information as I possibly can share, hearing what you guys have said as well too. I think it's important to listen to them as well at times and not tell them everything. And then understanding, you know, when to or when not to."

WI captains to score 50-plus in a T20 WC match
98 - Chris Gayle vs IND, Bridgetown, 2010
88 - Chris Gayle vs AUS, The Oval, 2009
63* - Chris Gayle vs SL, The Oval, 2009
61* - Shai Hope vs NEP, Wankhede, 2026*

Biggest win margin for WI in T20 WCs (by wkts)
9 wkts vs USA, Bridgetown, 2024
9 wkts vs NEP, Wankhede, 2026*
8 wkts vs ENG, Providence, 2010

Highest stands for WI for 2nd wkts or below in T20 WCs
97 - Johnson Charles, L Simmons vs IND, Wankhede, 2016
95 - S Chanderpaul, Devon Smith vs BAN, Joburg, 2007
91* - Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer vs NEP, Wankhede, 2026*

14:02 Local Time, 08:32 GMT, 14:02 IST: Such an easy chase this. West Indies have a great record here at the Wankhede. They haven't lost a T20I here. And that record stays. The openers set them on their way, King struggled for timing and went but once Shimron Hetmyer joined Shai Hope, it was just one-way traffic. Again not enough runs with the bat for Nepal and that's where the game was won for West Indies. Hetmyer continued his good form and it was nice to see Hope get some runs, which he wanted after the England game when he spoke in the post-match presentation. Nepal are officially eliminated as a result of today's defeat. Stay tuned for the post-match stuff...

Time for drinks. West Indies well on their way to an easy win. Stuart Law, the head coach of Nepal has a few words to say in that huddle.