Kathmandu, August 1

Nepal are eyeing an upset win over the Netherlands in their bid to finish in top four of the ICC World Cricket League Championship table.

The two sides are scheduled to meet in the fourth-round matches of the WCL Championship on August 13 and 15 in Amstelveen. Netherlands are currently at the top of the table with 10 points from six matches, while Nepal are sixth with four points.

Top four from the eight-team competition will qualify for the 2019 ICC World Cup qualifiers.

Nepal faced defeats at the hands of Scotland and Papua New Guinea in the first two rounds before beating Namibia on home soil in April. Nepal are looking to keep the winning momentum going and finish in top four at the end of the championship.

“We are capable of winning matches against Netherlands,” skipper Paras Khadka said. “The tour is important for us as the results will change the scenario in the points table,” he added. “And the remaining matches will also be equally important as we are looking to earn berth in the World Cup Qualifiers.”

Khadka was quite happy with the preparation of the team although the monsoon has played its part in hampering the training at home. Khadka said the tour of England helped them in many ways.

“The players got exposure and the tour also helped in getting acclimatised to the European conditions as England and the Netherlands share similar conditions,” he added.

Coach Jagat Tamatta was well aware of the opponents’ strength and weakness and said the knowhow would help the team in the matches. “The matches are challenging ones as the Netherlands are a good side and they will also have home advantage,” said Tamatta.

“But we are committed to put in our best and will look to exploit on their weakness.” The Netherlands have retained 10 players from the squad that played against Nepal in WCL Division-II in 2015. Nepal had won the match by two wickets in the Namibia.

Nepal are not in position to afford a loss as two of the next three opponents — Kenya and Hong Kong — are above them in the standing. Hong Kong are second with nine points, ahead of PNG (eight), Scotland (seven) and Kenya (six).

Only Namibia and the United Arab Emirates, who both have two points, are below Nepal in the points table. After taking on Hong Kong and Kenya, Nepal will face the UAE.

Coach Jagat Tamatta said the players were motivated after the tour of England, where Nepal won five matches, including a 41-run victory over Marylebone Cricket Club in their maiden match at The Lord’s. “The tour of England was a fruitful one.

The players got exposure and it also helped in getting acclimatised to the European conditions as England and the Netherlands share almost similar pitch conditions.” The Netherlands conditions are not new for Nepali players.

The two teams had played four-match Twenty20 International series last year in which the hosts won 3-1. “The familiar conditions and the knowledge of the opponents will help us in executing our plans,” said Tamatta.

Nepal’s preparation, however, has been hit by the monsoon with players mostly confined to indoor practice and gym sessions.

“We have not been able to enter the ground, so we are making best use of the indoor facility and the gym at the Tribhuvan University Stadium,” said coach Tamatta.

Nepal are yet to announce the final squad.

Currently, 19 players are in closed camp training. Coach Tamatta has been giving more time in batting than bowling and fielding. “Although we are having training in all three departments, we have given special focus on batsmen,” he said.

“We are planning to include an extra batsman in the squad as we need a good total on the board to defend,” he said. “The contribution from top order batsmen will be vital in the Netherlands.”