Batting collapse leaves Nepal reeling in League-2

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, July 24: Nepal’s struggles with both bat and ball continued in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 Tri-series in Utrecht, as they fell to hosts Netherlands by six wickets on Thursday.

The Rhinos had earlier lost their opener against Namibia by eight wickets on 21 July. Back-to-back defeats have dented Nepal’s hopes of breaking into the top four, while even their place in the top six is now under threat.

Currently fifth, Nepal are tied with sixth-placed Namibia and seventh-placed Canada on 24 points, separated only by net run rate.

Put in to bat first at Sportpark Maarshalkerweerd, Nepal managed just 157 runs in 44.4 overs, setting the Dutch a modest target of 158. 

The hosts chased it down comfortably, reaching 158/4 in 44.1 overs.

After the loss, captain Rohit Paudel admitted his side’s shortcomings:

“We batted very poorly. We failed as a batting unit and could not build big partnerships when needed most. 

The bowling was also not up to the mark, as we could not restrict the opponents despite the modest score.”

Paudel added that he expects his team to make a strong comeback in the remaining two matches in the Netherlands.

Dutch skipper Scott Edwards played a captain’s knock, guiding his side to their 15th win in 29 matches. Netherlands, placed third, now have 34 points—four behind second-placed Scotland. Table-toppers USA lead with 43 points from 32 matches, while Oman sit fourth with 31 points from 28 games.

The Netherlands too had a shaky start, losing opener Max O’Dowd for 9 in the sixth over to Sompal Kami. Cedric de Lange (21 off 51) fell in the 15th over, followed by Bas de Leede (1) in the next, leaving the hosts reeling at 47/3. 

Zach Lion-Cachet was run out for 21 in the 23rd over, reducing them to 73/4.

Edwards then steadied the innings with Noah Croes, adding an unbeaten 85-run stand for the fifth wicket to seal victory. Edwards struck a patient 61 off 89 balls, with two fours and a six, while Croes contributed 34 off 59 deliveries.

For Nepal, Sompal Kami, Dipendra Singh Airee, and Lalit Rajbanshi picked up a wicket apiece.

Earlier, Nepal’s batting faltered once again. Aasif Sheikh (14), Kushal Bhurtel (9), and Paudel (3) fell cheaply, while Ishan Pandey managed just 4. 

Dipendra Singh Airee (21) and Aarif Sheikh (41) offered brief resistance, with Gulshan Jha (29) and Karan KC (13*). No partnership proved decisive.

In reply, the Dutch bowlers shared the spoils: Roelof van der Merwe and Alex Roy claimed three wickets each, Logan van Beek took two, and Kyle Klein added one.

Nepal now face Namibia on 27 July.