KATHMANDU, July 2: Nepal's batting woes was once again exposed on Wednesday as it scored 69 runs, its lowest total in the T20 International (I) format, against Netherlands. In course, Nepal also succumbed to the highest ever, 103-run, defeat so far in the shortest version of the game against the host at the VRA Ground in Amstelveen, The Netherlands.
The result meant, Nepal went down 2-0 against the Netherlands in the four match series. Nepal had lost the first match of the series by 18-run at the same venue on Tuesday. The third match is being played on Thursday late night and the fourth match is scheduled for Friday. The kick off time for all matches is fixed at 20:45 NST.
None of the batsmen were up to the mark for Nepal in the second match of the series as only three batsmen -- Sharad Vesawkar (18 off 31), Sompal Kami (14 off 16) and Gyanendra Malla (12 off 6) reached the double figure.Inviting the host to bat first after winning the toss, Nepal was left to chase a mammoth target of 173 runs.
But Nepal was bundled out for 69 runs in 17.4 overs in its reply as the home team recorded its biggest run margin win. The total run scored by Nepal is its lowest in the T20I as previous lowest mark was 72 run against Hong Kong in Colombo last year.
Nepal's total also turned to be the sixth lowest score in overall T20I matches. The Netherlands holds the record of the lowest total of 39 runs against Sri Lanka played last year. Similarly, the 103-run margin of defeat is the seventh biggest defeat by runs in overall as Kenya has faced highest 172 runs defeat against Sri Lanka in 2007.
Nepal made a disastrous start in its run chase from the onset, losing wickets at regular interval. Opener and vice-captain Gyanendra was caught by Mudassar Bukhari off Thijs van Schelven on the last ball of the first over. Malla had managed to smash three boundaries before his departure.
By the end of third over, Nepal had lost three wickets, including formidable skipper Paras Khadka, with only 19 runs on board.
Number three batsman, Binod Bhandari, and Paras were sent back with just two runs each. Paras had scored 45 runs in the first match of series.
As Nepal remained 29/4 at 7.4 overs, Tailenders Sharad and Sompal tried to anchor Nepali inning putting 20-runs stand for the eighth wicket. However, it was not enough to save Nepal from being bundled at the lowest score.
Michael Rippon bagged highest three wickets, while Paul van Meekeren and Thijs van claimed two wickets each for The Netherlands.
Earlier, The Netherlands scored 172/4 in allotted 20 overs after Michael Swart and Ben Cooper completed half centuries each. Nepali bowlers were helpless against aggressive batting of Michael and Ben.
Michael scored 76 runs facing only 59 balls that included a six and eight boundaries, while Ben put 66 runs off 46 balls smashing three sixes and four boundaries. Wesley Barresi scored 12 off only three balls with two sixes.
Sompal Kami pocketed two wickets while Karn KC and Avinash Karn bagged a wicket each for Nepal.
Nepal has so far played six T20Is: three in ICC World Twenty20 held in Bangladesh as well as one against Hong Kong in Colombo last year, and two against The Netherlands.
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