Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: West Indies A thrashed Nepal by 76 runs to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match T20 series at the TU International Cricket Ground on Wednesday.
Batting first after winning the toss, West Indies A posted a massive 227 runs for the loss of three wickets. In reply, Nepal were bundled out for 151 in 19.2 overs.
Despite losing opener Alick Athanaze early for 17, the second-wicket pair of Johnson Charles and Andre Fletcher stitched a blistering 145-run stand for the visitors. Charles smashed an unbeaten 119 off just 61 balls, reaching his century in 54 deliveries. Fletcher made a brisk 53 off 33 balls. Fabian Allen chipped in with 19, while Keemo Paul remained unbeaten on 13.
For Nepal, Karan KC and Sagar Dhakal bagged a wicket each. Karan conceded 54 runs, while fellow pacer Kamal Singh Airee leaked 53 runs in their four-over spells.
Chasing 228, Nepal’s new opening pair of Binod Bhandari and Lokesh Bam got them off to a decent start with a 36-run stand. Binod scored 19 off 15 balls, while Lokesh scored 28 runs from 29 balls. However, Nepal’s chase was derailed as it lost wickets at regular intervals thereafter. Kushal Malla (20) and Karan KC (28) tried to resurrect the innings, but it was too little too late. Anil Sah scored 14. No other Nepali batter reached double digits.
Hayden Walsh led West Indies A’s bowling attack with a three-wicket haul, while Gudakesh Motie snapped up two. Matthew Forde, Obed McCoy, and Fabian Allen took a wicket apiece.
Nepal had rested Captain Rohit Poudel and regular openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh in the match.
The fourth match of the series will be played on Thursday.
