Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : In a breathtaking T20I encounter, the Netherlands snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, beating Nepal off the final ball in the second match of the Scotland Tri-Series. All-rounder Logan van Beek was the hero of the hour, smashing a crucial boundary when it mattered most to cap off a sensational run chase.
Opting to bat first, Nepal put up a competitive total of 168 for 6, built around a masterful half-century from their captain, Rohit Paudel. Paudel anchored the innings with a composed 65 off 48 balls, mixing elegant drives with powerful shots. He was well-supported by a quickfire cameo from Kushal Malla in the death overs, which pushed Nepal to a score they felt confident defending. For the Dutch, seamer Paul van Meekeren was the standout bowler, claiming two key wickets.
The Netherlands' reply began on shaky ground. Nepal’s star spinner, Sandeep Lamichhane, spun a web around the top order, dismissing both openers cheaply and leaving the Dutch reeling at 34 for 3. The chase looked to be falling apart before a crucial partnership between captain Scott Edwards and Logan van Beek steadied the ship.
Edwards played a patient, stabilizing role, but it was van Beek who turned the tide with a blistering counter-attack. He took the game to Nepal's bowlers, clearing the ropes with ease and injecting much-needed momentum into the innings.
The match came down to a nail-biting final over, with the Netherlands needing 11 runs for victory. A tense few deliveries saw a wicket fall, leaving a nervy equation of four runs required from the last ball. With the field in, van Beek kept his cool, powerfully striking the ball through the covers for a boundary, sparking wild celebrations in the Dutch camp and leaving Nepal heartbroken.
The victory gives the Netherlands a crucial win in the series, while Nepal will rue the missed opportunity to close out a game that was firmly in their grasp.
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