KATHMANDU: Some might casually call it just a three-match T20 series. But for the Nepal cricket team, this moment is special. Nepal has received the opportunity to play a three-match T20 series against the West Indies, a team that has Test cricket history, for the first time.

For the Nepali national cricket team, which has dreamed of competing with Test nations for decades, this is a historic opportunity. Leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane says, “I have played with most of the West Indies players. But playing against them certainly provides exposure.”

Since gaining ICC recognition on 2 February 1996, Nepal has played 103 T20 internationals against 21 nations and 77 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) against 13 nations. However, the team has only had the chance to compete against eight full-member ICC nations. Nepal has never had the opportunity to play a series against these strong nations—West Indies was also on that list.

That is why the series against West Indies is historic for Nepal. The team now looks excited but under pressure. Lamichhane adds, “This series is a baby step. We must produce good results. If we can, doors will open to play against other Test nations.”

Small team, big opportunity

In world cricket, not just performance but investment also determines a nation’s future. A strong example is Afghanistan. After defeating Nepal by nine runs in the 2014 T20 World Cup group stage, Afghanistan has now become a Test nation.

Not only the Indian Premier League (IPL), but venues like the UAE, once a neutral venue established by India and Pakistan, have allowed countries like Bangladesh and Afghanistan to play series due to strong infrastructure.

Yet Nepal, nicknamed the ‘Cardiac Kids’ in world cricket, remains limited to the ‘Associate Nation’ category. Nations that started cricket later are already competing with India, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, while Nepali players are still waiting for infrastructure improvements at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.

Thus, it seems Nepal will need many more years to reach the level of Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Batter Sandeep Jora accepts that Nepal has no choice but to sharpen itself by playing against big teams like West Indies. He says, “West Indies are two-time World Cup champions. We’ll have a lot to learn from them.”

West Indies, formed by 13 nations/provinces, was a T20 powerhouse from 2009 to 2016. Under Chris Gayle in 2009, West Indies defeated strong teams like India, Australia, and England to reach the T20 World Cup semifinals for the first time, though they did not achieve the expected result.

Two years later, under Darren Sammy’s leadership at the 2012 Colombo World Cup, West Indies defeated India, Pakistan, England, Australia, and Sri Lanka to win their first T20 World Cup.

West Indies maintained strong form thereafter. When Nepal made its World Cup debut in 2014 under Paras Khadka, West Indies reached the semifinals again. However, due to rain and the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, they lost to Sri Lanka by 27 runs, missing the chance to reach the final for the second consecutive time.

This disappointment did not last long. At the 2016 T20 World Cup in India, under Sammy’s captaincy, West Indies defeated England by four wickets in the final to win the title again. This made West Indies the first nation to win the T20 World Cup twice. India and England later joined this exclusive group.

Unfortunately, after the historic achievement in 2016, West Indies underwent major changes. Star players like Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Sammy, and Andre Russell gradually retired from international cricket. Internal disputes, board-player tensions, and insufficient domestic investment have limited West Indies’ consistent performance in recent years.

Even today, West Indies’ reputation in world cricket remains high. Its aggressive batting and Caribbean flair have given the team a distinct identity in cricket history. That is why any nation is eager to play a series against West Indies.

Paras Khadka, secretary of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), says, “Winning would be incredible. But playing a strong team builds immense confidence. For a team like ours, just getting to play against West Indies is a huge achievement.”

Is the path open?

Last year, Nepal nearly defeated South Africa at the T20 World Cup jointly hosted by the USA and West Indies. Losing by just one run, that moment captured the attention of cricket fans worldwide. Nepal’s courage in that match earned the team the nickname ‘Cardiac Kids.’ Competing with a strong team like South Africa was a historic achievement for Nepali cricket.

Currently, the Nepali team is coached by Stuart Law. The team aims to qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup and the 2027 ODI World Cup. Having played two T20 World Cups, Nepal would reach another historic milestone if it qualifies for the ODI World Cup.

Nepal has limited options. Practicing only with UAE, Hong Kong, Oman, or local Indian teams is insufficient. Only by competing against strong Test nations will the team gauge its true level.

Although Nepal has nearly three decades of cricket history, it still has not fully earned the trust of the ‘big Test nations.’ That remains Nepal’s biggest weakness. However, recent performances have attracted global cricket boards’ attention. Ireland and West Indies have continuously provided opportunities, sending their ‘A’ teams to compete. For the series at Sharjah International Stadium on 27, 29, and 30 September, West Indies is fielding a strong squad, including the five debutants.

Therefore, the Nepali national team must make a solid plan to utilize this opportunity, says assistant coach Gyanendra Malla. “Currently UAE and Oman are preparing while playing the Asia Cup. We have the chance to prepare by playing West Indies in a similar way. So, we must plan to win this series, even for the future,” he says.

If Nepal wins, players will continue to experience a competitive environment. At least by achieving a result like against South Africa, Nepal’s path to playing against major nations will open. Hence, this series could play a crucial role in Nepal’s journey to eventually attain Test nation status.