SATV, Kathmandu, July 30: Nepal endured a forgettable tour of the Netherlands, failing to win a single match in their penultimate tri-series of the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2.
Following a 57-run defeat against the hosts in Utrecht on Wednesday, Nepal slumped to their fourth consecutive loss in the away leg of League 2. Besides, this is also the ninth straight defeat away from home in ODIs.
A batting collapse at Sportpark Maarschalkerweerd dashed Nepal’s hopes of a top-four finish and direct entry into the World Cup Global Qualifier. They now sit sixth in the standings with 24 points from 32 matches, and their ODI status is under threat. With only one tri-series left to play in Oman, continued poor performances could cost them ODI recognition.
The Netherlands, meanwhile, drew level on points with second-placed Scotland, both on 38 from 32 matches.
In a bid to salvage pride, Nepal won the toss, opted to field, and restricted the Dutch side to 225 for nine in 50 overs.
Chasing 226 for victory, Nepal’s batting faltered, managing just 168 in 48 overs. They stumbled to 50/3 by the 14th over, losing opener Kushal Bhurtel for a duck, Bhim Sharki (10), and Ishan Pandey (16). Opener Aasif Sheikh and captain Rohit Paudel steadied the innings with a 35-run stand, but the partnership was broken in the 25th over. Sheikh top-scored with 38 off 78 balls.
After Dipendra Singh Airee (6) fell in the 30th over, Paudel followed soon after for 26 off 38 balls. Nepal’s lower order offered little resistance, with Aarif Sheikh (8) and Gulsan Jha (11) departing cheaply, leaving them reeling at 127/8.
Karan KC fought valiantly with 23 off 29 balls, adding 34 runs with Hemant Dhami (15*), but his dismissal in the 45th over sealed Nepal’s fate.
Kyle Klein was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts, claiming three wickets. Roelof van der Merwe, Logan van Beek, and Zach Lion-Cachet chipped in with two apiece.
Earlier, Nepal’s bowlers had made a superb start. Karan KC dismissed opener Cedric de Lange for a golden duck off the very first ball. Max O’Dowd (12) and Lion-Cachet (16) soon followed, leaving the Netherlands struggling at 30/3. Lalit Rajbanshi then bowled Bas de Leede (13), reducing the hosts to 56/4 in the 17th over.
However, skipper Scott Edwards and Noah Croes revived the innings with a 115-run stand for the fifth wicket, both registering half-centuries. Airee eventually broke the partnership, dismissing Edwards for 57. Croes top-scored with 70 before being run out in the 46th over, while van Beek remained unbeaten on 27.
For Nepal, KC was the standout bowler with figures of 4-30 from 10 overs, including two maidens. Airee took two wickets, while Dhami and Rajbanshi claimed one each.
Having lost three matches on the trot before this fixture, Nepal made two changes to their XI, bringing in Lalit Rajbanshi and Hemant Dhami for Sandeep Lamichhane and Sompal Kami.
