Dutch team beats disappointing Nepal in second warm-up match
Published at 10 June, 2023In the second practice match before the World Cup Qualifier, the Dutch men defeated Nepal in Pretoria. Particularly through standout Logan van Beek (five wickets) Nepal was all out for 156. The Dutch passed this total for the loss of five wickets.
The Netherlands opted for bowling first. Already in the first over Van Beek dismissed Asif Sheikh (clever catch by keeper Croes on the legside). Arjuna Saud fell victim to the same bowler/keeper combination.
On the lively wicket, Ryan Klein hit Kushal Burtel on the elbow. A ball that kept a little lower meant the demise of the opener; 20/3 in the fourth over did not look very promising for Nepal.
It didn't get much better for the Nepalese. Van Beek broke through the Airee defence with a beauty of an offcutter (28/4). Bhim Sharki was run out at the non-striker’s end through a reflex from Michael Levitt (58/5). Paudel escaped an LBW shout from Klein on 4, but fell victim to a nice slipcatch by Logan van Beek after 30 runs. The same Van Beek uprooted the midstump of Guljan Jha (24, 106/7) and shortly afterwards had Aariff Sheihk caught behind (118/8). Nepal were 156 all out.
Netherlands innings
A top edge from Levitt meant 24/1, an edge from Vikram 56/2. Barresi was (rightly) less in a hurry than his teammates. With a well-made 63 not out, he laid the foundation for a simple Dutch victory on paper: The Netherlands 157/5/36.1.
