KATHMANDU: Nepal will take on the West Indies cricket team on Sunday in a crucial Group-stage fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, with their tournament hopes hanging in the balance.

The match begins at 11:15 local time at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.

Having lost their opening two games, Nepal national cricket team enter under mounting pressure, knowing anything less than victory would likely end their campaign. Even two wins from their remaining fixtures may not guarantee progression, with other results also needing to fall their way.

By contrast, the West Indies arrive in strong form after back-to-back victories and are on the verge of booking a place in the Super 8 stage. A win on Sunday would confirm their qualification and eliminate Nepal with a game to spare.

Speaking on the eve of the contest, Nepal head coach Stuart Law admitted the scale of the challenge.

“We have to think only about winning the remaining two games,” he said. “Otherwise, we may as well pack our bags and go home.”

Law reflected on the differing nature of Nepal’s two defeats and stressed the need for sharper execution, while his recent comments urging players to limit social media use have also drawn attention.

West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein said his side would not underestimate their opponents.

“We know what Nepal are capable of and what they can do,” he said, adding that his team would treat the fixture like any other World Cup match.

The West Indies, two-time champions in 2012 and 2016, are currently ranked seventh in the T20I standings and led by captain Shai Hope, with their line-up noted for aggressive power-hitting.

Despite their current predicament, Nepal can draw confidence from past meetings. The sides have faced each other three times in T20 Internationals, with Nepal winning two, including a notable 2–1 series triumph last October.

Sunday’s contest in Mumbai now represents a simple equation for Nepal: win or go home.