Netherlands complete nervy win over Nepal

Max O’Dowd took Netherlands home with 54* against Nepal  

Netherlands completed a nervy six-wicket win over Nepal in their T20 World Cup Group D opener in Dallas on Tuesday, chasing a target of 107 with only eight balls to spare to put their first points on the board.

Max O’Dowd’s mature unbeaten half-century up top ensured two points for Scott Edwards’ side. O’Dowd remained unbeaten on 54* off 48 balls (4 fours, 1 six), helping Netherlands close the run-chase when the pressure was on them, on another bowler-friendly pitch.

It got so tight that Netherlands needed over a run-a-ball after the 17th over, but O’Dowd’s took down Abinash Bohara when things got tight to ensure the match didn’t run into the final over. Nepal were left to regret dropping O’Dowd at long-off on 41, which may have made a difference in the final result.

Netherlands won a good toss in conditions helpful for swing and seam but their decision to have a spinner bowl with the new ball paid immediate dividends. Tim Pringle, the left-arm spinner, struck with the wicket of Aasif Sheikh before Logan van Beek doubled down with the wicket of Kushal Bhurtel in his first over. Van Beek could also have had Rohit Paudel in the same over but an inside edge, spotted on review, saved the Nepal captain who went onto top score for his team with 35 off 37 balls (5 fours). Pringle and van Beek finished with three wickets apiece as Nepal were bowled out for 106 with four balls to spare.

Scores: Nepal 106 (19.2) (Rohit Paudel 35, Tim Pringle 3/20, Logan van Beek 3/18, Paul van Meekeren 2/19, Bas de Leede 2/22)

Netherlands 109-4 (18.4) (Max O’Dowd 54*, Vikramjit Singh 22)