Kathmandu, August 14

The Netherlands’ national cricket team trounced Nepal by seven wickets in the first of their two-match series on Saturday. With the win, the Dutch continue their unbeaten streak in the World Cricket League, while Nepal lose their fifth match in the competition.

With the loss Nepal slide to sixth place in the eight-team league. Here we look at four key moments that sum up Nepal’s defeat at the the hands of the Dutch.

1.

The toss 

 

Of the 19 List A matches Nepal have played so far (since January 2014), Nepal have won six matches. And of the six matches Nepal have won, Nepal batted second in five matches!  (The only match Nepal have won batting first was against Uganda in January 2014 in the seventh place playoff for the ICC World Cup Qualifers in New Zealand.)

And with the early morning conditions in Europe, any side winning the toss was certain to bat first. Nepal lost the toss and were put-in to bat first. This proved to be a decisive moment in the game.

 

2.

Paras out for golden duck

Nepal rely heavily on their skipper Paras Khadka when it comes to getting the run. In the six matches Nepal have won in List A, Paras has scored more than 30 in five matches (he scored a century against Namibia at home in April this year). However, the key batsman was out first ball in the match against the Netherlands on Saturday. A fiery van der Merwe caught the captain LBW on the first ball he faced. Nepal’s chances of putting up a respectable total looked slim after Paras’ exit.

3.

Sharad’s failure to break shackles

Shard Veswaker, who has been given the anchor-man role in the Nepal squad played a patient innings. He occupied  the crease at one end when wickets kept tumbling at the other end. He was set to break the shackles in the 32nd over but got out going after Bukhari down leg side. He played 71 balls for his 14. The story would have been different if Sharad could continue till the final overs.

4.

Break in Sompal/ Basanta partnership

Sompal and Basanta have been chipping in with their bat as well in the recent matches Nepal have played. During the match against the MCC few weeks ago, the 40-run partnership between the two saw Nepal get to a respectable total against the hosts. But during the match against the Netherlands the pair put on 13 in 36 balls, before Sompal was out caught by Barresi off van der Gugten in the

Basanta remained unbeaten on 7. He could not find a partner after Sompal’s departure.

In the end, Nepal made 94 runs without playing out their 50 overs, and the Netherlands cruised to victory with seven wickets and lot of balls to spare.

The next match is on Monday.