Loss for the Netherlands, concerns about Edwards
Published at 04 June, 2025The Dutch men's team lost the first World Cup qualifier in a new series of encounters to Nepal. In a cold and windy Dundee in Scotland, a total of 225 all out proved to be no difficult task for Nepal. The Netherlands remains in second place in the WCL2 rankings. Scott Edwards was injured whilst batting.
Seven county players were unavailable so there were plenty of opportunities for other players. The Nederlands, batting first having won the toss, had a disastrous start when Michael Levitt hit a short one to extra cover and Max O’Dowd yorked himself (16/2/4.5).
Edwards endured some tough moments but got into his game before picking up a hamstring injury. Fortunately for the Dutch, the captain was able to resume his innings after a brief treatment, but he would not keep wicket in the second innings. Vikram Singh had meanwhile returned to his characteristic fluency with a delicious cover drive in the sixth over.
The 72-run partnership ended when Vikram (38) was caught at first slip off the bowling of Lamichhane (88/3). Edwards (46) pulled the very first ball from Rajbanshi into the hands of short mid wicket and Zach Lion-Cachet (27, sweeping against the strong wind) also failed to fulfil the anchor role that the Dutch so desperate needed.
Teja Nidamanuru tried to find his form, but when he and Kyle Klein lost their wicket, the Netherlands were faced with a poor 166/7. A potentially crucial partnership followed between the in-form Noah Croes and the experienced old hand Roelof van der Merwe: 55 runs for the eighth wicket, which put the score above the 200 mark.
When the match resumed after a heavy rain shower, Noah Croes (48) played one reverse sweep too many – although he had been successful with his sweeps and reverse sweeps earlier on (221/8). The Netherlands hobbled to 225 all out in the final over (Van der Merwe 21). For the Nepalese, Sompal Kami took 3-48.
Nepal innings
So there was work to be done for the Netherlands, especially given the absence of the injured Scott Edwards. Noah Croes took the keeping gloves and Max O’Dowd took over the captaincy. Aasif Sheikh looked good for his 19 runs until he was bowled ‘out of the blue’ by Paul van Meekeren (32/1/6.2). The same happened to Kushal Bhurtel (25), a big wicket for part-timer Michael Levitt on a nip-backer. In the sixteenth over it was 68/3 when Sharki hit a half volley into the safe hands of Roelof van der Merwe (68/3).
Aarif Sheikh, brother of the opening batsman, and Rohit Paudel took the score to 123 before the latter was run out by Kyle Klein with a fantastic direct hit. Before that, Aarif Sheikh should have been caught at first slip off Van der Merwe's bowling. It didn't happen, and the fortunate batsman finished the match with Dipendra Singh Airee. Michael Levitt took 2-43 in ten overs.
Despite this defeat, the Netherlands are still in second place in the WCL2. Scotland are scheduled for 6 June, Nepal on 10 June and Scotland again on 12 June.
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