Nepal team halted the Netherlands Cricket team’s winning streak in ICC World Cricket League Championship 2015-2017 with a famous 19 runs win in the 27th match at VRA Ground, Amstelveen on Monday, August 15.
Nepal 217/9 (50 ov) (Khadka 84, Pun 45, Malla 39, Rippon 4-35) beat Netherlands 198 (48.3 ov) (Van der Merwe 56, Gruijters 44, Khadka 2-19) by 19 runs
Skipper Paras Khadka all-round performance with both bat and ball benefitted Nepal to a famous victory against the Dutch side. First, He played an outstanding inning of 84(94) that included 7 fours and a six and later took two wickets for 19 in his 6 overs.
Netherlands, who opted to bowl first restricted Nepal to 217/9 despite Khadka’s top score alongside 39 (54) from Gyanendra Malla and Sagar Pun’s vital 45 (78).
Nepalis were struggling for 65 for 3 at 20th over and Khadka and Pun rescued with 118 runs partnership for fourth wicket. Once, Khadka was dismissed in 44th over, the lower-middle order collapse reduced Nepal to 217/9 in their 50 overs. Earlier, Binod Bhandari struck two sixes to his little cameo of 17 runs that lasted 14 balls.
Michael Rippon, the left-arm wrist spinner grabbed four wickets for Netherlands, while Ahsan Malik had two wickets including Khadka’s wicket.
In reply, Netherlands struggled at the start and were tottering to 21 for 3. Paras Khadka picked up two wickets. But, the middle order stepped up and continue to dominate the innings.
Van der Merwe top scored with 56 off 61 balls including 4 fours and a six. He shared a 82 runs partnership with MP O’Dowd (35) to take the score from 21/3 to 103 (28.3). Sandip Lamichhane dismissed Van der Merwe and Nepal were back on game again.
Tim Gruijters’s 60-ball 44 added by Tim van der Gugten’s 30-ball 36, nearly took Netherlands towards the target. But, once they were dismissed in successive overs, Nepalis were able to pick up four wickets in eight deliveries to close the contest.
Nepal bundled out the Netherlands in 48.3 and won the match by 19 runs. This win also halted Netherlands winning streak in ICC WCLC.
Despite the loss, Netherlands are still at top with three points ahead of Hong Kong. Nepal won their third match and are placed sixth and equal on point with Kenya.
Paras Khadka was adjudged as the Man of the Match for his outstanding all-round performance in the match. He is the current highest scorer in WCLC matches.
