Kathmandu, August 12

Nepal will face Netherlands in the first match of the ICC World Cricket League Championship’s fourth round at the VRA Ground in Amstelveen on Saturday.

The Netherlands will also host second match at the same venue on Monday.

Nepal, who defeated Namibia after losing first two-round matches, are sixth in the points table of the eight-team competition, while the Netherlands stand on top with 10 points after six matches.

Nepal’s other opponents Hong Kong are second with nine points and Kenya are fifth with six points. PNG (eight) and Scotland (seven) are also ahead of Nepal. Only Namibia and the UAE have two points each.

Nepal lost two matches each against Scotland and PNG. The Netherlands are the only undefeated team in the championship so far. They defeated PNG and the UAE before sharing points in both matches against the Scotland.

Nepal made a comeback by winning both matches against Namibia at the TU Stadium in Kirtipur in April. The visitors are determined to keep the winning momentum against the Dutch team in their bid to finish in top four at the end of the competition.

The top four teams will earn berths in the 2019 ICC World Cup qualifiers.

Nepal and the Netherlands have played only two 50-over matches previously. In the first encounter, the Dutch produced a seven-wicket win in the 2014 World Cup Qualifier in New Zealand.

Nepal defeated the Netherlands by two wickets in the World Cricket League Division-II in Namibia last year.

Nepal had a horrible outing in the Netherlands last year. The hosts won 3-1 in the four-match Twenty20 International series. The first two matches were played at Amstelveen.

Nevertheless, Jagat Tamata and the team are overwhelmed by the experience gained during the recent England tour, where they won all five games. Nepal also registered a 41-run win against Marylebone Cricket Club in their maiden match at The Lord’s.

The Dutch, who have home advantage, also defeated MCC on Monday in 50-over match.

However, the win could be costly for the Dutch team as skipper linchpin Peter Borren split the webbing on his right hand while taking a catch at slip, according to cricketeurope.

In Nepal’s part, inclusion of Anil Mandal, who scored a 93-ball century against Scotland in Europe, and U-19 opener Sunil Dhamala are expected to strengthen batting side.