KATHMANDU - Noah Croes and Scott Edwards led Netherlands' recovery after Nepal’s early strikes as the hosts posted 225/9 in 50 overs in their ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 match at Sportpark Maarschalkerweerd, Utrecht, on Wednesday.
Nepal won the toss and elected to bowl first. Karan KC gave Nepal the perfect start, removing Cedric de Lange for a duck with the first ball of the innings. Hemant Dhami then dismissed Max O’Dowd for 12, before Karan struck again to remove Zach Lion-Cachet for 16.
Netherlands were 42/3 after the powerplay and slipped further to 56/4 when Lalit Rajbanshi bowled Bas de Leede for 13 in the 18th over.
But Edwards and Croes rebuilt the innings with a 115-run fifth-wicket partnership. Edwards made 57 off 91 balls with three fours, while Croes top-scored with 70 off 93 balls, also hitting three boundaries.
Dipendra Singh Airee broke the stand by dismissing Edwards in the 42nd over. Croes was then run out by Kushal Bhurtel for 70 as Nepal pulled things back in the final overs.
Logan van Beek added a useful 27 off 27 balls, but Nepal kept taking wickets at the death. Karan dismissed Aryan Dutt and Van Beek late to finish with 4/30 from 10 overs, including two maidens.
Dipendra took 2/30, while Lalit returned 1/32 from 10 overs. Hemant picked up 1/41.
Netherlands scored 42/3 in the powerplay, added 122/1 through the middle overs and managed 61/5 in the final phase. They did not hit a six in the innings and struck nine fours.
Nepal need 226 runs to win.
