Kathmandu, Sept. 28 -- Nepal defeated West Indies by 19 runs in the first T20I of the three-match series in Sharjah on Saturday, taking a 1-0 lead.

Batting first after losing the toss, Nepal posted 148 for eight in their 20 overs. Captain Rohit Paudel top-scored with 38 off 35 balls, while Kushal Malla struck 30 from 21 and Gulsan Jha added 22. Despite a shaky start at 12 for two, the middle order steadied the innings. Jason Holder was the pick of the West Indies attack, finishing with four wickets for 20, while debutant Navin Bidaisee took three for 29.

Chasing 149, West Indies faltered against Nepal's disciplined bowling and sharp fielding, eventually finishing on 129 for nine. Kyle Mayers was run out cheaply, and wickets fell at regu...