Max ODowd makes a spirited Nepal pay for fielding lapses, Netherlands start T20 World Cup 2024 campaign with 6-wicket win

In a low-scoring encounter at the Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas, Netherlands beat a spirited Nepal by six wickets with eight balls to spare. Nepal got huge support from their fans but their fielders faltered under pressure. Opener Max ODowd's unbeaten 48-ball 54 helped Netherlands start their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign with a win.
 

Poor start for Nepal

Earlier, Scott Edwards won the toss and opted to field first. Nepal lost the wicket of Aasif Sheikh to Tom Pringle in the second over. Logan van Beek with his first ball of the tournament got rid of Kushal Bhurtel. With a few boundaries, Nepal were 29/2 after powerplay overs. Pringle came back into the attack and delivered with Anil Sah's wicket. Paul van Meekeren in the 10th over dismissed Kushal Malla for a single-digit score. Nepal were 53/4 at the halfway stage.
 

Nepal bowled out

Nepal's big-hitter Dipendra Singh Airee failed to make a mark and lost his wicket to Bas de Leede. Van Meekeren then knocked over Sompal Kami for a five-ball duck. Rohit Paudel continued to anchor the innings. In the slog overs, he lost his wicket to Pringle. The skipper scored 35 runs from 37 balls including five fours. Karan KC tried to accelerate with a six off Van Beek. In the penultimate over, he hit another six before falling to De Leede for a 12-ball 17. In the final over, Van Beek struck twice as Nepal got bowled out for 106 with four balls left in the innings.

Nepal bowlers keep themselves in the game

In the run chase, Netherlands lost Michael Levitt to Kami in the second over. Vikramjit Singh and ODowd found a few boundaries to put the pressure back on Nepal. After the powerplay overs, the Dutch were 36/1. In the eighth over, Nepal fielders struggled. First, they missed a run out giving ODowd a reprieve then Vikramjit's catch was dropped. Dipendra in the ninth over trapped Vikramjit in front of the stumps. He scored 22 runs from 28 balls. At the halfway stage, the Netherlands were 52/2. 

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ODowd finishes it off

ODowd played the anchor role. They were cruising towards the target but Sybrand Engelbrecht got run out in the 14th over. Skipper Edwards in the 16th over got bowled by Abinash Bohara as Nepal made a comeback. As the pressure mounted, Nepal missed a golden opportunity. In the 18th over, ODowd's catch was dropped at long-on. In the penultimate over, ODowd got his side over the line. He hit Bohara for a four and a six to reach his fifty from 47 balls. On the fourth ball De Leede finished the run chase with a boundary. Netherlands won the game by six wickets and eight balls to spare.
 

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