Mumbai, Feb 15 (NationPress) West Indies fast bowler Matthew Forde noted that he detected favorable conditions on the pitch as soon as he arrived at the ground, a crucial insight that allowed the Caribbean team to confine Nepal to 133/8 in their Group C match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

Forde showcased one of the most economical bowling performances of the match, concluding with figures of 1/10 from his four overs, which included a wicket-maiden during a challenging powerplay that left Nepal struggling at 22/3 after six overs, marking the lowest powerplay total of the tournament.

Reflecting on the pitch conditions, Forde shared that the early signs were apparent even before the first delivery was bowled.

“Upon my arrival at the venue, I noticed some moisture in the outfield, which led me to mention to a few teammates, 'I believe there will be some assistance from the pitch today due to the dampness in the ground.'”

This hint of moisture allowed for grip and subtle movement off the surface, enabling the West Indies bowlers to exert control right from the start. Forde utilized seam movement effectively to challenge the top order, successfully trapping Rohit Paudel lbw at a critical juncture during the powerplay. His disciplined lengths and line made it difficult for Nepal to achieve any rhythm in the early overs.

The 22-year-old clarified that his role in the team is clearly outlined: to take the initiative early and capitalize on any assistance the pitch may offer before conditions stabilize.

“For me, the team allows me to bowl my overs upfront, ensuring they are completed early. If there’s anything to exploit on the surface, I can assure you it will be in the first four overs.”

This tactic yielded results as the West Indies dismantled Nepal’s top order. Although Dipendra Singh Airee attempted a recovery with a resilient 58 and Sompal Kami provided some late impetus, Nepal was left in a precarious position.

Forde’s enthusiastic appeal after bowling Paudel lbw also drew attention. When asked about his animated celebration, he credited an iconic English fast bowler as his inspiration.

“I’ve always been a fan of Stuart Broad. I watched him extensively as a child, and that’s where my inspiration comes from. It’s a natural reaction; I’ve been celebrating like this since my youth cricket days.”

This impressive spell laid the groundwork for the West Indies’ control over the innings, despite Nepal managing to recover with 65 runs in the final five overs. Jason Holder's four-wicket haul ultimately ensured that the recovery did not escalate further. Looking ahead to the chase, Forde expressed contentment with the overall team effort.

“If we had been asked at the start if we wanted to restrict Nepal to 130 runs, we would have gladly accepted that offer any day.”