Netherlands Beat Nepal by Six Wickets: ICC World Cup League 2

UTRECHT — Nepal’s bowlers briefly raised hopes of defending a modest total, but Netherlands captain Scott Edwards produced a composed unbeaten half-century to secure a six-wicket victory in the 117th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup League Two.

The Netherlands recovered from 73 for four to reach their 158-run target in 44.1 overs. Edwards finished unbeaten on 61 from 89 deliveries and was named Player of the Match.

Nepal’s top order collapses again

Asked to bat after losing the toss, Nepal made a difficult start as their first four wickets fell for only 42 runs.

Aasif Sheikh scored 14, Kushal Bhurtel made nine, captain Rohit Paudel managed three and Ishan Pandey was dismissed for four. Alexander Roy caused most of the early damage, claiming three wickets in an economical eight-over spell.

Dipendra Singh Airee and Aarif Sheikh attempted to rebuild the innings, but the scoring rate remained low. Dipendra departed for 21 from 42 balls before Aarif added a valuable partnership with Gulsan Jha.

Gulsan provided Nepal’s most aggressive contribution, hitting two sixes in his 29 from 42 deliveries. Aarif battled for 90 balls and top-scored with 41, but Nepal were eventually bowled out for 157 in 44.4 overs.

Roy finished with three wickets for 24 runs, while veteran spinner Roelof van der Merwe claimed three for 15. Logan van Beek took two wickets as the Dutch attack prevented Nepal from using their full 50 overs.

Nepal fight back with the ball

Nepal gave themselves an opportunity by making regular breakthroughs during the Netherlands chase.

Sompal Kami bowled Max O’Dowd for nine before Dipendra removed Cedric de Lange for 21. Lalit Rajbanshi then dismissed Bas de Leede for one, while Zach Lion-Cachet was run out for 21, leaving the hosts under pressure at 73 for four in the 23rd over.

However, Nepal could not break the fifth-wicket partnership between Edwards and Noah Croes.

The pair added an unbroken 85 runs, calmly reducing the target without taking unnecessary risks. Croes supported his captain with an unbeaten 34 from 59 balls, while Edwards struck two fours and one six during his match-winning innings.

Lalit was Nepal’s most economical bowler, returning figures of one for 22 from 10 overs, including three maidens. Dipendra conceded only eight runs from four overs and took one wicket, but Sandeep Lamichhane remained wicketless as the Netherlands completed the chase with 35 balls remaining.

The result leaves Nepal with further questions over their batting, particularly after another failure to establish a strong top-order partnership or post a competitive total.

Brief scores: Nepal 157 all out in 44.4 overs (Aarif Sheikh 41, Gulsan Jha 29; Alexander Roy 3/24, Roelof van der Merwe 3/15) lost to Netherlands 158/4 in 44.1 overs (Scott Edwards 61 not out, Noah Croes 34 not out) by six wickets.