Cricket Kitchen

Nepal’s Batting Struggles Continue, Netherlands Win by 6 Wickets

July 24, 2026

In the 116th match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2, played at Sportpark Maarschalkerweerd in Utrecht, Nepal suffered a 6-wickets defeat against the Dutch team. Chasing a modest target of 158 runs, the Netherlands reached 158/4 in 44.1 overs, registering a comfortable victory with 35 balls to spare.

Netherlands captain Scott Edwards played a superb captain’s knock, remaining unbeaten on 61 runs off 89 balls, including 2 fours and 1 six. He was well supported by Noah Croes, who scored 34 runs off 59 balls. The pair shared an unbeaten fifth-wicket partnership to guide their team to a comfortable win.

After losing the toss and being sent in to bat first, Nepal failed again to find momentum from the very beginning. The top order collapsed cheaply, putting the team under immense pressure. Opener Kushal Bhurtel scored 9 runs off 20 balls before being trapped lbw by Kyle Klein. Fellow opener Aasif Sheikh made 14 runs off 17 balls before falling to Alex Roy.

Batting at number three, Ishan Pandey managed only 4 runs from 10 balls, while captain Rohit Paudel was also dismissed lbw for 3 runs off 12 balls. Within just 12 overs, Nepal was struggling at 42/4. Dipendra Singh Airee and Aarif Sheikh then attempted to rebuild the innings. Dipendra scored 21 runs off 42 balls before being caught off the bowling of Logan van Beek.

The biggest contribution for Nepal came from Aarif Sheikh, who scored 41 runs off 90 balls, including 4 fours. Although Aarif stayed at the crease for a long time, he was unable to accelerate the scoring rate. In the middle order, Gulsan Jha made 29 runs off 42 balls, hitting 1 four and 2 sixes. Towards the end, Sompal Kami added 10 runs off 15 balls, while Karan KC remained unbeaten on 13 runs.

Nepal was eventually bowled out for 157 runs in 44.4 overs.

The Dutch bowlers maintained pressure on Nepal right from the start. Alex Roy claimed 3 wickets for 24 runs in 8 overs. Roelof van der Merwe dismantled Nepal’s lower order, taking 3 wickets for just 15 runs in 6.4 overs. Logan van Beek picked up 2 wickets, while Kyle Klein claimed 1 wicket. Aryan Dutt, Bas de Leede, and Zach Lion-Cachet remained wicketless.

Defending 158, Nepal’s bowlers put the Netherlands under early pressure. Max O’Dowd was bowled by Sompal Kami after scoring 9 runs from 11 balls. Cedric de Lange then scored 21 runs off 51 balls before becoming Dipendra Singh Airee’s victim. Zach Lion-Cachet was run out for 21 runs off 49 balls through the efforts of Karan KC and Aasif Sheikh. Shortly afterward, Lalit Rajbanshi dismissed Bas de Leede for just 1 run.

When the Netherlands were reduced to 73/4 in 22.4 overs, Nepal appeared to be making a comeback. However, after the loss of four wickets, captain Scott Edwards and Noah Croes batted with great composure. They rotated the strike calmly without taking unnecessary risks and steadily built the innings. However, Edwards did receive a lifeline, as Sompal Kami failed to convert a caught-and-bowled opportunity into a wicket. Edwards completed his half-century in 75 balls. Eventually, the pair stitched together an unbeaten fifth-wicket partnership, taking the Netherlands to 158/4 in 44.1 overs.

Nepal’s bowlers also failed to deliver a match-winning performance. Nevertheless, Sompal Kami bowled 10 overs, conceding 41 runs and taking 1 wicket. Dipendra Singh Airee and Lalit Rajbanshi also claimed one wicket each, while the remaining Nepal bowlers went wicketless.

Nepal’s hopes of posting a competitive total ended after losing four wickets early in the innings. A target of 157 runs proved insufficient for the bowlers to defend. Although Nepal showed signs of making a comeback by reducing the Netherlands to 73/4, the unbeaten partnership between Scott Edwards and Noah Croes ultimately ended Nepal’s hopes of victory.

Match Brief:

Nepal – 157 (44.4 overs)
Aarif Sheikh 41, Gulsan Jha 29, Dipendra Singh Airee 21, Karan KC 13*
Alex Roy 3 wickets, Roelof van der Merwe 3 wickets, Logan van Beek 2 wickets.

Netherlands – 158/4 (44.1 overs)
Scott Edwards 61* (89), Noah Croes 34* (59), Cedric de Lange 21, Zach Lion-Cachet 21
Sompal Kami 1 wicket, Dipendra Singh Airee 1 wicket, Lalit Rajbanshi 1 wicket.

Result

Netherlands won by 6 wickets (with 35 balls remaining).

Player of the Match: Scott Edwards (Netherlands)

Points: Netherlands – 2, Nepal – 0.