Last-over finish sees Nepal edge Netherlands

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted Jun 19, 2025

Nepal sealed their second consecutive win in the Scotland Men’s T20I Tri-Series with a six-wicket victory over Netherlands at Clydesdale Cricket Club, chasing down 175 with two balls to spare. Remarkably, all three of Nepal’s matches in the series so far have gone down to the final over.

Chasing 175, Nepal lost Aasif Sheikh early for 7, trapped LBW by Ben Fletcher. But a 54-run partnership between Kushal Bhurtel and T20I debutant Bhim Sharki steadied the innings. Bhim impressed on debut with a 16-ball 27 that included two fours and a six, before an inside edge off Roelof van der Merwe ended his stay.

Kushal Bhurtel anchored the chase with a composed 65 off 51, hitting three fours and two sixes. He added 44 runs for the fourth wicket with Aarif Sheikh, who contributed a brisk 39 off 23 with two sixes and three fours before retiring hurt late in the innings.

With seven needed off the final over, Lokesh Bam held his nerve and finished the match in style, launching Zach Lion-Cachet for two sixes to take Nepal home with two deliveries to spare.

Earlier, Netherlands posted 174 for 7 after being put in to bat. They were rattled early, slipping to 45 for 4 inside the powerplay, with Vikramjit Singh falling for a three-ball duck to Lalit Rajbanshi. But Michael Levitt kept the innings afloat with a fluent 86 off 53 balls, striking six fours and five sixes. He was well supported by van der Merwe, who remained unbeaten on 36 off 21 to help push the total close to 175.

For Nepal, Karan KC claimed 2 for 40, while Dipendra Singh Airee, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sandeep Lamichhane and Rupesh Singh took one wicket each.

For the Dutch, van der Merwe was the most economical with 1 for 22, and Aryan Dutt also bowled tidily to finish with 1 for 26. Ben Fletcher and Lion-Cachet picked up a wicket apiece.

Nepal next face hosts Scotland in their final league fixture on Friday.