Kathmandu – Nepal fought hard thanks to Skipper Paras Khadka’s fine 45 runs off 42 balls but the Dutch prevailed by 18 runs in the first Twenty 20 International match played at VRA Ground, Amstelveen on Tuesday.
Netherlands 134 for 5 (Myburgh 67*) defeated Nepal 116 for 7 (Khadka 45*, Malik 3-23) by 18 runs
Once again, Khadka was left with all the scoring responsibility after the top and middle order failed miserably. Subash Khakurel 2(7), Binod Bhandari 5(9), Rajesh Pulami 13(13), and Sharad Veswakar 10(14) failed to shoulder their responsibility as Nepal failed to chase a target of 135 runs. Gyanendra Malla hit 24 runs off 22 balls opening the batting while 31 was highest partnership in Nepal’s innings between Rajesh Pulami and Khadka.
Earlier, Netherlands finished with 138/5 on the board after they won the toss and elected to bat first. It was top bowling and fielding effort from Nepal that contained Dutch batsmen to a modest total. Basant Regmi, in particular, was brilliant grabbing two wickets and conceding just 24 runs in his four overs. Stephen Myburgh played a top hand for the Dutch with a sublime 67 not out while Michael Rippon supported him well as the duo shared an unbeaten partnership of 63 runs for the sixth wicket.
Debutant Avinash Karn and Skipper Paras Khadka were economical in their spells conceding 18 and 19 runs respectively in 4 overs they bowled.
The tired looking Nepalese cricket team arrived at Amsterdam on a long drive by Bus. And they were restless throughout the England tour. They are ready like a machine to uplift their tempo against the Dutch side after the first defeat. Three more matches are left in the series to prove.
Nepal will play their second T20 on 1st July, 2015 at the same venue. The match starts at 20:45 NPT.
