In a thrilling finish to the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 series in Scotland, Nepal clinched their third win with a well-earned 16-run victory over the Netherlands. This win cements Nepal’s strong finish in the series and adds momentum to their campaign in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2.
Batting first after losing the toss, Nepal posted a competitive total of 236 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their allotted 50 overs. The batting effort was led by Aarif Sheikh, who anchored the innings with an impressive 84 off 85 balls, hitting 7 fours and 2 sixes. Supporting him at the crease were Bhim Sharki and Captain Rohit Paudel, who both contributed 35 runs. Kushal Bhurtel added 18 runs, while Dipendra Singh Airee chipped in with 16.
The Netherlands bowlers worked hard to restrict Nepal’s total. Paul van Meekeren was the standout, taking 4 wickets for 58 runs in his 10-over spell. Michael Levitt supported him with 3 wickets, while Aryan Dutt added 1 to his tally.
Nepal vs Netherlands – Cricket World Cup Player Performance Summary
| Team | Top Batters | Top Bowlers | Final Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nepal | Aarif Sheikh (84), Sharki (35) | Lamichhane (3/39), Yadav (3/39), Rajbanshi (2) | 236/9 (50 overs) |
| Netherlands | Barresi (36), Edwards (30) | van Meekeren (4/58), Levitt (3), Dutt (1) | 220 all out (49.2 overs) |
In reply, the Netherlands fell short by 16 runs, being bowled out for 220 runs in 49.2 overs. Wesley Barresi was the top scorer with 36 runs, while Scott Edwards and Michael Levitt contributed 30 and 27 runs respectively. Kyle Klein and Noah Croes made useful knocks of 25 and 22, but it wasn’t enough to chase down Nepal’s total.
Nepal’s bowling attack delivered an outstanding performance. Sandeep Lamichhane, once again, proved his value by claiming 3 wickets for 39 runs in 10 overs. Making his ODI debut, Nandan Yadav also took 3 wickets for 39 runs, dismissing top-order batsmen like Max O’Dowd, Roelof van der Merwe, and Kyle Klein—all caught by fielders. Lalit Rajbanshi grabbed 2 wickets, while Karan KC and Kushal Bhurtel contributed with one wicket each.
Yadav’s debut spell was one of the major highlights of the match, as he demonstrated remarkable control and composure under pressure. His key breakthroughs helped Nepal maintain control throughout the Dutch innings.
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Nepal’s Series Performance in ICC Cricket World Cup League 2
his match marked Nepal’s third victory in four games of the current ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 series. With this win, Nepal moves to 12 points from 16 matches, placing them seventh in the current standings. The Netherlands, despite the loss, continue to hold a stronger position with 26 points from 23 matches.
Nepal had also defeated the Netherlands in their previous encounter in this series, showing significant improvement and consistency in their performances. The team’s batting resilience, coupled with a strong bowling unit, has been key to their recent success.
Conclusion
Nepal’s win over the Netherlands not only highlighted their fighting spirit but also underlined their progress in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2. With young players like Nandan Yadav making impactful debuts and experienced names like Sandeep Lamichhane continuing to deliver, Nepal cricket looks to be heading in a promising direction. As they push forward in the league, these crucial victories will play a significant role in shaping their World Cup qualification journey.
This win also reflects Nepal’s growing consistency in international cricket, especially in high-stakes tournaments like League 2, which acts as a stepping stone to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027. With improved performances across all departments—batting, bowling, and fielding—Nepal has shown they can compete strongly on the global stage. Building on this momentum, Nepal will aim to climb higher in the standings and edge closer to qualification in the upcoming fixtures.