UTRECHT — Nepal’s bowlers created an early opening, but the batting unit could not take advantage as the Netherlands secured a comfortable 57-run victory in the 120th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup League Two.

Chasing 226 at Sportpark Maarschalkerweerd, Nepal were bowled out for 168 in 48 overs. Aasif Sheikh top-scored with 38, but no Nepal batter managed to build the substantial innings required to challenge the Dutch total.

Karan gives Nepal the perfect start

Nepal won the toss and chose to bowl, and Karan KC delivered an immediate breakthrough by removing Cedric de Lange with the first ball of the match.

The Netherlands soon found themselves under serious pressure. Karan also dismissed Zach Lion-Cachet, Hemant Dhami removed Max O’Dowd, and Lalit Rajbanshi bowled Bas de Leede to leave the Dutch struggling at 56 for four in the 18th over.

At that stage, Nepal appeared to be in control. However, captain Scott Edwards and Noah Croes responded with patience rather than panic.

The pair added 116 runs for the fifth wicket, gradually wearing down Nepal’s attack and changing the direction of the match. Edwards scored 57 from 91 balls, while Croes made a match-defining 70 from 93 deliveries.

Croes struck four boundaries and remained at the crease until the Netherlands had reached 195. Logan van Beek then added a useful 27 from 27 balls as the Dutch recovered to post 225 for nine from their 50 overs.

Karan was again Nepal’s outstanding bowler, finishing with four wickets for 30 runs from 10 overs, including two maidens. Dipendra Singh Airee took two wickets, while Hemant and Lalit claimed one each.

Nepal’s chase never gathers momentum

Nepal’s reply began in the worst possible way when Kushal Bhurtel was bowled by Kyle Klein for a three-ball duck.

Bhim Sharki made 10 before also falling to Klein, while Ishan Pandey scored 16 as Nepal slipped to 50 for three in the 15th over.

Aasif Sheikh attempted to hold the innings together, but the required scoring rate continued to rise. He faced 78 deliveries for his 38 before being dismissed by Roelof van der Merwe.

Captain Rohit Paudel made 26, but his dismissal immediately after Dipendra’s departure left Nepal in deep trouble at 104 for six.

The middle and lower order could not produce a recovery. Aarif Sheikh scored eight and Gulsan Jha made 11 as Nepal lost two more wickets with the score on 127.

Karan provided some late resistance, hitting two sixes in his 23 from 29 deliveries. Hemant remained unbeaten on 15, but Nepal were eventually dismissed when Zach Lion-Cachet bowled Lalit Rajbanshi from the final ball of the 48th over.

Klein led the Netherlands attack with three wickets for 26 runs. Van Beek produced an economical spell of two for 16, while Van der Merwe and Lion-Cachet also took two wickets each.

Croes was named Player of the Match for the innings that rescued the Netherlands from early trouble and provided the foundation for their winning total.

Brief scores: Netherlands 225/9 in 50 overs (Noah Croes 70, Scott Edwards 57; Karan KC 4/30) beat Nepal 168 all out in 48 overs (Aasif Sheikh 38, Rohit Paudel 26; Kyle Klein 3/26) by 57 runs.