Kathmandu, April 20
The Netherlands have beaten Nepal by three wickets with three balls to spare at the Tri-nation T20I Series in TU Cricket Ground on Tuesday.
Batting first, Nepal put up a commendable score of 206 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs. Kushal Bhurtel, who had scored two half-centuries in a row, top-scored with 62 as he became the first-ever player to score three T20I half-centuries in his first three games. He was supported by captain Gyanendra Malla who scored 20 while vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee scored a quickfire 60.
In reply, the Netherlands were aggressive from the start. Even though they lost openers Max O’Dowd and Tobais Visee early, middle-order batsmen Ben Cooper and Bas de Leede took control of the match as both scored half-centuries.
The game looked to turn Nepal’s way as Cooper threw away his wicket to Sandeep Lamichhane for 55, but Leede took the game away from Nepal as he took on all Nepali bowlers, including Lamichhane, as he scored an unbeaten 81 of 42 balls.
Lamichhane was the pick of the bowlers for Nepal as he took four wickets giving away 48 runs.
With this, Nepal and the Netherlands have the same points, but Nepal are ahead in the table thanks to their superior run rate.
Nepal will now play Malaysia, who are yet to win, on Thursday.
