Netherlands strengthened its position at the top of the ICC World Cricket Championship League with a seven-wicket win against Nepal at the VRA Ground in Amstelveen on Saturday (August 13).
Tim van der Gugten and Michael Rippon returned identical figures of 3 for 21 as Nepal, put into bat, was bowled out for 94 in 38.1 overs – Nepal’s lowest total. Netherlands chased down the target in 16.5 overs. The defeat is third in Europe for Nepal who had lost both matches against Scotland.
Nepal’s lowest score was 167/10 against Scotland in their first round match that Nepal lost by nine wickets last year in July.
Overall, Nepal lost five matches out of seven in the championship as they also had lost both matches against PNG in the second round before beating Namibia at the TU Stadium in Kirtipur in April in the third round.
In today’s match, Nepali batsmen failed to put good show against discipline bowling of the opposition who invited the visitor to put runs on the board first.
Opener Anil Mandal top scored 20 runs facing 39 balls, while Sharad Vesawkar, who faced 71 balls, was second highest scorer for Nepal with 14 runs. Tail-ender Sompal Kami (12 off 28) and opener Gyanendra Malla (11 off 12) were other batsmen to contribute in double digits.
Skipper Paras Khadka got duck out by Timm van der Merwe who picked up three wickets giving away only 21 runs in eight overs. He also maintained a maiden over.
Similarly, Michael Rippon also claimed three wickets as Nepal flopped in batting. Rippon , who maintained two maiden, conceded 21 runs in 9.1 overs .
Netherlands lost Rippon early in the chase, but a 57-run stand between Stephan Myburgh and Wesley Barresi put the team in a commanding position. Barresi fell for 37, and was followed by Ben Cooper, but Myburgh’s unbeaten 33 took Netherlands home with 199 balls to spare.
Netherlands now has 12 points from seven matches, while Nepal is placed sixth on the table with four points, also from seven matches.
The two teams will play against each other at the same venue again on Monday.