Rhinos Post 236/9, Docked 10 Penalty Runs For ‘Running On Pitch’

Nepal end up with 236 runs for the loss of nine wickets. Aarif Sheikh is dismissed for a heroic 84 in the final over by Paul van Meekeren, who ends up with four wickets. Remember that Nepal have been controversially penalized 10 runs by the umpires for ‘running on the pitch’, which means their total is effectively 226 runs as Netherlands will start their innings with a 10-run head start.

We now have further updates on why and when the Netherlands were awarded the penalty runs. The on-air commentators state that the umpires ruled that the Nepal batters were running on the pitch at 36.3 and 39.2 overs, and thus docked five penalty runs at each instance.

Meanwhile, Paul van Meekeren cleans up Karan KC for 11 and Nepal are now seven down. Aarif Sheikh, who is batting on 64, is running out of partners.

Here we go. We have a huge bone of contention in the game, as the umpires dock Nepal two penalties of five runs each. Details are still emerging, but as one understands, it is for batters running on the pitch with an apparent intent to damage it. The commentators are at a loss of words too, and the Nepal camp appears shell-shocked.

Nepal have crossed the 150-run mark but continue to lose momentum. After the wicket of Dipendra Singh Airee–caught behind off Michael Levitt for 16–the run flow has dried up. Basir Ahamad and Aarif Sheikh are currently at the crease, trying to stitch together a partnership. Aarif has held firm with 40 off 51 balls, while Basir is grinding it out with 3 off 14.

Steady the Nepalese did, hmmm. But trouble now they face. Lost their captain Rohit Paudel for 35 caught by Nidamanuru off Levitt. Earlier, Bhim departed for 35 too. Strong the stand was, but it was broken at 106/4 in the 25th over.

Still at the crease are Dipendra Singh Airee and Aarif Sheikh.

Rohit Paudel and Bhim Sharki have steadied the ship with a 50-run stand off 70 balls after Nepal were reduced to 29/2. Anil Shah departed for just 2 runs off Paul van Meekeren delivery.

Paudel 28 (45), Sharki 28 (32)

Despite surviving a probing spell from Kyle Klein, Anil Sah has looked far from comfortable at the crease. Earlier, Nepal lost Kushal Bhurtel for 18 after a solid start, clean bowled by Paul van Meekeren.

Kushal Bhurtel and Anil Shah open the batting for Nepal and have reached 9/0 in 3 overs. Kyle Klein of the Netherlands concedes only 1 run in the second over.

The match will witness the debut of Nandan Yadav who became the 42nd player to don the ODI cap for the Rhinos.

Nepal: Kushal Bhurtel, Anil Sah(w), Bhim Sharki, Rohit Paudel(c), Aarif Sheikh, Dipendra Singh Airee, Basir Ahamad, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Nandan Yadav

Netherlands: Michael Levitt, Max ODowd, Zach Lion Cachet, Wesley Barresi, Scott Edwards(w/c), Teja Nidamanuru, Noah Croes, Kyle Klein, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren

Netherlands won the toss and opt to bowl first against Nepal

The Netherlands and Nepal have faced each other 5 times in ODI format. Out of these, the Netherlands have won 3 whereas Nepal have come out victorious on 2.

The Nepal Vs Netherlands, ICC Cricket World Cup League Two match will be live-streamed on the FanCode website and app in India, and live scores will be available here!

The Nepal Vs Netherlands, ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 match will start at 3:30 PM at the Forthill Cricket Ground in Dundee.