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Nepal registered a thumping 90-run victory over West Indies in the second T20I on Monday night at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, sealing the three-match series 2-0 with one game still to play.

Nepal won the toss and elected to bat first, putting up a strong total of 173/6 in their 20 overs. Wicketkeeper-batter Aasif Sheikh starred with an unbeaten 68 off 47 balls, while Sundeep Jora smashed 63 from 39 deliveries to steady the innings after early setbacks. Mohammad Aadil Alam added a brisk 11 off five balls to push the score past 170. For the West Indies, Akeal Hosein impressed with figures of 2/21 and Kyle Mayers also took two wickets.

In reply, the West Indies struggled to build momentum and were bowled out for just 83 in 17.1 overs, falling well short of the 174-run target. Jason Holder’s quick 21 off 15 balls was the only notable contribution. Nepal’s bowlers delivered a clinical performance, with Mohammad Aadil Alam claiming 4/24, Kushal Bhurtel 3/16, and Lalit Rajbanshi and Dipendra Singh Airee taking one wicket each.

Tickets for the much-awaited Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday have been completely sold out. Organisers told Geo News that the 28,000-seater stadium will be fully packed with fans filling every spot for the high-voltage clash.

In their previous encounters in the tournament, the two arch-rivals have attracted huge numbers, with 20,000 spectators filling up the stadium for the group match on September 14 and 17,000 for the Super Four clash on Sept 21.

Forty-one years have passed since the inaugural Asia Cup in 1984, and for the first time, India and Pakistan have reached the final together. In both encounters at the Asia Cup 2025, India has decisively defeated Pakistan. Pakistan has lost 12 of its 15 T20I matches against India.

Skipper Salman Agha and his troops almost crashed out after Bangladesh had them in a corner during their Super Fours fixture. However, Pakistan managed to win by 11 runs and advance to the final.

Before the final, India had an injury scare with Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya suffering from cramps during the final Super Fours contest against Sri Lanka. They spent the majority of the season on the sidelines but have been declared fit before the rivalry clash.

ANI

Nepal created history in Sharjah with a memorable 19-run win against the West Indies, marking their first-ever victory over a Full Member nation across formats. While they had beaten Afghanistan in a T20I back in 2014, Afghanistan was an Associate team back then, making this triumph all the more special.

This was Nepal's maiden T20I outing against the West Indies and also the start of their first bilateral series against a Full Member. They rose to the occasion in style, dominating the two-time world champions with a complete team effort, six batters cleared the ropes, six bowlers chipped in with wickets, and their fielding was sharp throughout.

West Indies, led by Akeal Hosein, had four debutants and opted to chase after winning the toss. Nepal lost both openers early, but skipper Rohit Paudel steadied the innings alongside Kushal Malla, whose aggressive strokeplay shifted the momentum. Malla's sixes off Fabian Allen and Obed McCoy set the tone before he and Paudel added a vital 58-run stand. Despite late wickets, including a triple strike from Jason Holder in the nineteenth over, Nepal posted a fighting total of 148/8.

Chasing 149, West Indies began with a boundary from Kyle Mayers, but their innings faltered soon after. A brilliant direct hit from Kushal Bhurtel sent Mayers packing. With the pitch making strokeplay difficult, West Indies' chase kept losing steam. Dipendra Singh Airee's sharp fielding dismissed Keacy Carty, and even Holder could not provide the resistance, falling for just 5.

Hosein briefly threatened, but Karan KC struck in time to remove him. With Fabian Allen left needing 28 off the final over, Nepal held their nerve to seal a famous win.

Though Nepal was not part of the Asia Cup 2025, for them this was not just a victory but a statement, a defining moment in their cricketing journey, achieved by outplaying the mighty West Indies in every department.

Liverpool tasted defeat for the first time this season as they went down 2-1 to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday. The result means Palace are now the only unbeaten side in the Premier League this season.

The Eagles made a flying start, with Ismaila Sarr capitalising on a poor clearance from Ryan Gravenberch to score the opener. Liverpool were indebted to goalkeeper Alisson, who produced a string of superb saves to keep the visitors in the contest before half-time.

Though Chiesa struck late to give Arne Slot's side hope, substitute Eddie Nketiah netted a dramatic winner to seal a famous victory for Palace. At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea's struggles continued as they fell 3-1 to Brighton, making it back-to-back league defeats for Enzo Maresca's side. The Blues, reduced to 10 men for the second consecutive week, could not cope with Brighton's intensity. The result leaves Chelsea with just one win in their last five outings across competitions.

At Gtech Community Stadium, Manchester United's inconsistency showed once again as they slumped to a 3-1 defeat against Brentford. Bruno Fernandes had a penalty saved, a miss that proved costly for Ruben Amorim's men. Brentford raced into a two-goal lead after 20 minutes through Igor Thaigo's brace. Though Benjamin Sesko pulled one back, United never looked in control. Mathias Jensen's stoppage-time strike sealed the hosts' deserved win. The result leaves United winless in their last eight away league matches, slipping further into the bottom half of the table.

At the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City ran out 5-1 winners against Burnley, with Erling Haaland once again stealing the show in stoppage time. City benefitted from two own goals by Maxime Esteve. Matheus Nunes scored for City at the 61st minute, but Haaland made sure his name was on the scoresheet. The Norwegian struck in the 90th minute from Jeremy Doku's cross and added another moments later after Burnley's defence faltered.

With those two late goals, Haaland's tally now stands at eight Premier League goals this season.

ANI