Nepal created history in Sharjah on Monday, thrashing West Indies by 90 runs in the second Twenty20 International of the Unity Cup to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The result gave Nepal their maiden T20I series win against a full ICC member.

Electing to bat first after winning the toss, Nepal overcame an uncertain start. Kushal Bhurtel departed for two runs in the second over, trapped lbw by Akeal Hosein. Captain Rohit Paudel soon followed, bowled by Hosein for 3, leaving Nepal wobbling at 14-2. Kushal Malla tried to rebuild but was run out for 7, and the scoreboard read 43-3 after seven overs.

From there, Aasif Sheikh and Sundeep Jora turned the tide. The pair counter-attacked with aggressive stroke play, adding a 100-run stand that put Nepal in control. Sheikh anchored the innings with a calm 68 not out from 47 deliveries, laced with eight fours and two sixes. Jora was the aggressor, blasting 63 off 39 balls with three boundaries and five sixes. Their partnership lifted Nepal to 143-3 by the 18th over. Late cameos from Gulsan Jha (6) and Mohammad Aadil Alam (11 off 5) pushed the total to 173-6.

In reply, West Indies struggled right from the outset. Dipendra Singh Airee struck early, removing opener Jewel Andrew for 2. Karan KC then dismissed Keacy Carty, while Kyle Mayers laboured to 6 off 16 before falling to Aadil Alam. By the 10th over, the Caribbean side were reeling at 50-4.

Alam ran through the middle order, claiming the wickets of Mayers, Ackeem Auguste and Amir Jangoo, finishing with excellent figures of 4-24. Bhurtel chipped in with three wickets, dismissing Fabian Allen, captain Akeal Hosein and Zishan Motara. Rajbanshi and Karan KC also picked up a wicket apiece.

Jason Holder briefly threatened with a quick 21 off 15 balls, but once he fell to Rajbanshi, the collapse was complete. West Indies were bundled out for 83 in 17.1 overs, handing Nepal a record 90-run victory.

Aasif Sheikh was named player of the match for his unbeaten half-century. The result came two days after Nepal’s first-ever win over a Test-playing side, when they beat the two-time T20 World Cup winners by 19 runs in the series opener on Saturday.

Nepal will now head into the final match with the series already secured, but with history firmly on their side on Tuesday.