KATHMANDU - Nepal ended their ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series in the Netherlands without a win after losing to the hosts by 57 runs at Sportpark Maarschalkerweerd, Utrecht, on Wednesday.
Chasing 226, Nepal were bowled out for 168 in 48 overs. The defeat completed a difficult four-match tour for Nepal, who lost twice each to Namibia and the Netherlands. Nepal are now winless in their last eight overseas League 2 matches, having also lost all four fixtures in the UAE tri-series last year.
Nepal's chase never gathered momentum. Kushal Bhurtel was bowled by Kyle Klein for a duck in the first over, before Bhim Sharki fell for 10. Nepal were 32/2 after the powerplay and were already under pressure against a disciplined Netherlands attack.
Aasif Sheikh tried to hold the innings together with 38 off 78 balls, but his slow innings reflected Nepal's struggle to rotate strike. Ishan Pandey made 16, captain Rohit Paudel added 26, while Dipendra Singh Airee was dismissed for six.
Nepal slipped from 85/4 to 127/8 as the middle order again failed to build a decisive partnership. Aarif Sheikh made eight, Gulshan Jha scored 11 and Karan KC struck two sixes in his 23 off 29 balls, but Nepal were left too far behind the asking rate. Hemant Dhami remained unbeaten on 15.
Kyle Klein led the Netherlands attack with 3/26 from eight overs. Logan van Beek took 2/16, Roelof van der Merwe claimed 2/30 and Zach Lion-Cachet finished with 2/21. Aryan Dutt also picked up one wicket.
Earlier, Nepal rested premier fast bowler Sompal Kami and leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane after choosing to bowl first. Netherlands posted 225/9 despite Nepal's strong start with the ball. The visitors reduced the hosts to 42/3 in the powerplay and 56/4, but Scott Edwards and Noah Croes changed the innings with a 115-run fifth-wicket stand.
Croes top-scored with 70 off 93 balls, while Edwards made 57 off 91. Logan van Beek added 27 lower down the order to push Netherlands past 220.
Karan KC was Nepal's best bowler, taking 4/30 from 10 overs. Dipendra took 2/30, while Lalit Rajbanshi and Hemant picked up one wicket each.
The result leaves Nepal with only 24 points from 32 matches and with their top-four hopes all but gone.
