Fighting Dutch beat Nepal
Published at 02 February, 2025In the third match of the Yamaha Racing T20 Series - the second encounter with the host country - the Netherlands defeated Nepal 140-125.
Hannah Landheer and the recovered Heather Siegers came into the side for Carlijn van Koolwijk and Frédérique Overdijk.
Dutch captain De Leede won the toss and chose to bat first. Her hope was there would be a strong Powerplay.
It did come about thanks to a reborn opening pair. Footwork and calls were next level and resulted in a partnership of 29 runs for the first wicket (3.4, Molkenboer 21 from 16 with four boundaries).
Unfortunately for the Netherlands, Sterre Kalis was given LBW (29/2). It was 58/3/7.5 when Robine Rijke (21 off 15 with four boundaries) was bowled.
Halfway through the innings, the score was a promising 85/3 and the 100 was reached in the fourteenth over. Shortly after, a top edge ended Heather Siegers' fine cameo (26, 106/4).
In the eighteenth over three wickets fell. The Netherlands reached a somewhat disappointing 140/9, with Babette de Leede (41) as top scorer. Sita Rana Magar excelled with 5-12.
Nepal innings
Nepal had a quick start, but in the sixth over the first wicket fell thanks to a brilliant stumping by Babette de Leede (31/1). With a fantastic legspinner, Caroline de Lange made it 34/2.
Indu Barma appeared to be caught at cow corner, but the third umpire had enough doubts to reject Heather Siegers' catch. Nevertheless, after ten overs, there were only 53 runs on the scoreboard.
81 runs required off the last nine overs. The bowling of the three spinners kept the run rate relatively low.
Isabel van der Woning cleaned Mahato with a beauty (71/3). However, with the dangerous Barma and Joshi on the pitch, the match was anything but over.
Fantastic boundary fielding eventually made the difference. Nepal had to make 43 off the last four overs. With a faster delivery Heather Siegers surprised Joshi and also Chhetry was LBW the next ball. Nepal did not get further than 125/8.
Iris Zwilling, Heather Siegers and Caroline de Lange each took two wickets. Lynch, Van der Woning and Silver Siegers bowled economically.
On Monday, February 3, the Dutch will play against Thailand.
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