West Indies Cricket may once again be utilised as a tool for unity, but this time, it is not only the people of the Caribbean who will benefit. The Men in Maroon are set to embark on a series against Nepal for the first time ever. This historic three-match contest will test the mettle of a young West Indies squad and the budding Nepalese team.
The action on the field will unfold against a backdrop of more than just sporting rivalry. Throughout 2025, Nepal has seen significant social and political unrest for the citizens of the Asian state. Youth-led protests, stemming from what activists claim to be widespread corruption among government officials, have plunged the country into disarray. These protests have turned deadly, leading to the dissolution of parliament and an election held via digital platform Discord where Gen Z-endorsed former Supreme Court chief justice Sushila Karki was announced as interim Prime Minister, making her Nepal’s first female PM.
Given these challenges, the series, originally planned for Kathmandu, was relocated to Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, due to the political instability that began in early September. Windies cricket officials have since indicated that they view this series as more than just an outing, but as a tool for development and peace.
“We have to start right after the [Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League] and we head off pretty much in two groups, one group to Nepal for that very historic series, a three match T20 series with an emerging, cricket loving nation and we’re happy to support their development,” said Miles Bascombe, director of cricket at Cricket West Indies, in a press conference held on September 18.
“You should all be aware of what has recently taken place in Nepal and we hope that in some way that this series brings that population some sort of joy and I hope that we have contributed in some way to that.”
This statement echoes another by West Indies CEO Chris Dehring, who called the series “a testament to what cricket represents: pride, purpose, and the power of unity.”
Beyond the off-field efforts to renew national hope and pride in a country in need, there are, of course, the cricketing elements of the tour. For Nepal, the series represents a final tune-up before their Asia/East Asia-Pacific Qualifier for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. For the West Indies, it’s a chance to test depth and combinations ahead of the same global tournament. One way or another, this tour will leave an impact that will be felt — beyond the boundary.
