By Sachit Subba • Cricket • Jun 11, 2025 01:12 AM • 116 views
Nepal ended their ICC Cricket World Cup League-2 campaign in Scotland on a high, sealing a 16-run win over the Netherlands in a tense last match of the series at the Forthill Cricket Ground in Dundee on Tuesday. The result not only handed Nepal a clean sweep over the Dutch but also served as a strong bounce-back following a narrow loss to the hosts, Scotland, two days prior.
After being sent in to bat first, Nepal posted a gritty 236/9 in their 50 overs, anchored by a mature and composed 84-run knock from middle-order stalwart Arif Sheikh — his highest ODI score to date. The 27-year-old right-hander's innings, peppered with seven boundaries and two sixes, proved the backbone of Nepal's total. Arif, in fine form this series, had earlier scored 78 in the first clash against the Dutch.
Skipper Rohit Paudel and Bhim Sharki each chipped in with steady 35-run contributions while the tail wagged just enough to stretch Nepal to a competitive total. Kushal Bhurtel and Dipendra Singh Airee both made 16, while debutant pacer Nandan Yadav finished unbeaten on 10.
The Netherlands attack was spearheaded by paceman Paul van Meekeren, who finished with 4/42. Michael Levitt added three wickets, and Aryan Dutt claimed one.
In reply, the Dutch batters failed to build on their starts despite a series of handy knocks. Wesley Barresi (36), Scott Edwards (30), and Michael Levitt (27) all got in but failed to convert. A disciplined Nepali bowling unit, led by debutant Nandan Yadav and senior leggie Sandeep Lamichhane — both claiming three wickets apiece — kept the chase in check. Left-arm spinner Lalit Rajbanshi added two scalps, while Karan KC and Kushal Bhurtel took one each.
The most bizarre moment of the match came in Nepal's innings, when they were twice penalized five runs — conceding 10 penalty runs in total — for running down the pitch unnecessarily. Despite the controversy, Nepal held their nerve with the ball, bowling out the Dutch for 220 in 49.2 overs.
The final wicket — Paul van Meekeren caught by Arif Sheikh off Karan KC — capped a convincing win and avenged Nepal's heartbreaking two-run loss to Scotland earlier in the series.
A Series of Mixed Fortunes, But a Strong Finish
This victory marks Nepal's second in four matches in the Scottish leg of the League-2 cycle, and both wins came against the Netherlands. After narrowly clinching their opening fixture by one wicket, they slumped to a demoralizing defeat against Scotland before regrouping for this strong finish.
Nepal remains seventh on the points table with 12 points from 16 games — a long way from the top four but still in the running with five series left to play. The Netherlands, despite suffering three losses in the series, remain second with 26 points from 23 matches. Scotland follows close behind with 24 from 19.
League-2, a crucial pathway to the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup, requires each team to play 36 matches across nine tri-series. The top four nations will progress directly to the global qualifiers, while the remaining four will enter a separate play-off round.
Eyes on UAE
Nepal's next test is scheduled for October in the UAE, where they will face the hosts and the table-topping United States. The USA leads the standings with 28 points from 20 games, while UAE — struggling for form — sits bottom with just 6 points from 16 matches.
With confidence restored and a few standout performers emerging, especially Arif Sheikh with the bat and Nandan Yadav's dream debut with the ball, Nepal now looks to build momentum in the Gulf. The fight for a World Cup dream is far from over — and Tuesday's win just might be the turning point they needed.
