Nepal and Netherlands meet in a crucial ICC Cricket World Cup League Two 2023–27 fixture, the 120th ODI of the cycle, with both sides eyeing valuable points and momentum in Utrecht.
Sportpark Maarschalkerweerd has developed a reputation as a fair but slightly bowling-friendly ODI venue. Across the last nine List-A/ODI matches here, teams batting first have won around 33% of the games, while chasing sides have prevailed around 67%, underlining that it can be a good ground for well-paced chases.
Pace vs spin: pace has taken roughly 70% of wickets (95), with spin accounting for the remaining 30% (40), suggesting good carry and assistance for seamers with the new ball.
Expect a surface that offers early seam movement and enough bounce for fast bowlers, before settling into a decent batting track where rotating strike and building partnerships is vital. Spin should come into play in the middle overs but is unlikely to dominate unless the pitch is unusually dry.
The weather in Utrecht for this fixture is forecast to be mostly cloudy with temperatures around 23°C, humidity near 68%, and only about 10% chance of rain. Conditions are comfortable for players, and barring a brief passing shower, a full 50-over contest is anticipated. Cloud cover could aid swing and seam early, making the toss and new-ball spells especially important.
This 120th League Two ODI is significant for both teams’ aspirations of staying in the hunt for ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 qualification and maintaining upward trajectories in the points table. Netherlands, playing at home and in good form, are looking to consolidate their position and build on recent wins, while Nepal are under pressure after a sequence of defeats in the current leg.
For Nepal, this match is an opportunity to reverse their slide, regain confidence, and show they can compete consistently away from home. For the Netherlands, a victory would underline their growing depth, their ability to handle different conditions, and their status as one of the stronger sides in this League Two cycle.
NEP vs NED match details
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Match: Nepal vs Netherlands, 120th Match,
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Date: Wednesday, 29 July 2026
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Time: 9:00 AM local time (Utrecht) / 12:30 PM IST
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Venue: Sportpark Maarschalkerweerd (Kampong Club Ground), Utrecht, Netherlands
NEP vs NAM Live streaming Info
Free live streams for Nepal vs NED ODI are available on select platforms depending on your location.
In Nepal
Tune into Kantipur TV Max HD via cable or check local apps like NetTV for free access to the live broadcast. This is the official channel partnered with the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN).
Globally
ICC.tv offers free registration and streaming in many regions, including Nepal and others without primary broadcasters—ideal for international fans seeking no-cost coverage.
India viewers can use FanCode (subscription-based), while avoid unofficial YouTube or social media links to dodge ads and risks. Check your region’s geo-blocks and use a VPN if needed for ICC.tv.
Live Streaming Info:
The ODI will be live info on Nepal vs Namibia
Live Score Info:
Nepal vs NED, 119th Match 2026: All matches on ESPN and Cricbuzz have live scores.
Current form and momentum
Nepal recent form
In their last five completed matches in this League Two phase (and recent series), Nepal’s record reads L, L, L, W, W:
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Lost vs Namibia (119th ODI) – NEP 211/7, NAM 208/6; close contest but ended in defeat.
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Lost vs Netherlands (117th ODI) – NEP 157 all out, NED 158/4; batting collapse under Dutch pace.
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Lost vs Namibia (116th ODI) – NEP 157 all out, NAM 159/2; another low score.
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Beat Jersey (NEP vs JSY series) – clinical win by restricting Jersey to 169 and chasing 250/8.
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Beat Jersey again in the opener of that series, reinforcing that Nepal can dominate weaker opposition.
Overall, Nepal’s batting has been inconsistent, particularly against stronger pace attacks, though they have shown they can post competitive totals when the top order settles.
Netherlands recent form
Netherlands, by contrast, come into this game with a strong run of results: W, W, L, W, W in their latest five outings in League Two and ODIs.
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Beat Namibia (118th ODI) – NED 251/6, restricted NAM to 193; authoritative win.
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Beat Nepal (117th ODI) – chased 158 comfortably at 158/4.
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Narrow loss vs Canada (112th ODI) – NED 214 all out, CAN 218/8; competed but fell short in the chase.
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Beat USA (111th ODI) – defended 196/8 successfully, bowling USA out for 175.
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Pulled off a thrilling chase vs Scotland (79th ODI) – chased 370+ (374/6) in a high-scoring classic.
This sequence shows Netherlands are winning both low-scoring seam-dominated games and high-scoring contests, indicating flexibility and confidence.
Head-to-head record
According to recent League Two data, Nepal and Netherlands have played multiple ODIs against each other in this cycle, with the last 10 meetings split 5–5 between the sides, reflecting a balanced rivalry.
From the League Two sample listed:
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117th ODI: Netherlands beat Nepal (NED 158/4 vs NEP 157).
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78th ODI: Nepal beat Netherlands (NEP defended 220).
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75th ODI: Nepal beat Netherlands (NEP 236/9 vs NED 225).
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6th ODI: Netherlands beat Nepal (NED 173/2 chasing NEP 172).
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2nd ODI: Nepal beat Netherlands in a low-scoring clash (NED all out 137; NEP chased).
These last five League Two meetings underline how closely matched the sides are: Nepal have found ways to defend middling totals, while Netherlands have demonstrated the ability to chase efficiently when their seamers set the game up.
Team analysis – Nepal
Strengths
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Emerging pace and seam bowling unit capable of exploiting helpful conditions, especially if there is swing under cloud cover.
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Middle-order resilience, with players who can rebuild after early setbacks and take the game deep.
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Fielding intensity, particularly in the ring, which can create pressure in low-scoring matches.
Weaknesses
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Top-order fragility against quality pace and movement: multiple recent totals around the 150–170 mark highlight vulnerability when the ball is doing a bit.
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Inconsistent scoring rates, sometimes getting stuck against disciplined bowling and failing to push totals beyond 250.
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Relative inexperience in European conditions compared to their home strengths.
Key players and recent impact
While exact squads for this match are finalized at toss, Nepal’s core revolves around:
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Kushal Bhurtel / Aasif Sheikh-type top-order anchors who must provide stable starts.
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Dipendra Singh Airee / Rohit Paudel-style middle-order batsmen who can consolidate and accelerate.
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Sandeep Lamichhane-type leg-spinner who controls the middle overs and takes key wickets.
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Young seamers who must hit hard lengths and exploit the pitch early.
If the top three can see off the new ball and one batter goes on to a big score, Nepal can absolutely post around 250–270, which historically has troubled Netherlands on this ground.
Team analysis – Netherlands
Strengths
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Strong seam attack well accustomed to Sportpark Maarschalkerweerd, with bowlers who understand the angles, breeze, and optimal lengths.
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Flexible batting line-up able to adapt to different match situations, whether chasing 150 or 300+.
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Home conditions advantage: familiarity with the pitch, weather, and dimensions, plus local crowd support.
Weaknesses
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Occasional middle-order wobble in tricky chases, as seen in a tight defeat against Canada when a modest target slipped away.
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Reliance on pace bowling; if the pitch slows down and demands more high-quality spin, they could be slightly stretched.
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Pressure of expectation as favourites at home, which can sometimes lead to conservative decision-making.
Key players and recent impact
Netherlands’ core match-winners for this fixture include:
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Top-order batters who set the tone in chases and can go big in flat conditions, as evidenced by their 374/6 vs Scotland.
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Lead seamers who have repeatedly reduced opponents to sub-200 scores at this venue.
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All-rounders providing balance between bat and ball, allowing flexible team combinations.
Their ability to control the powerplay—both with bat and ball—is often the decisive factor in home ODIs.
Probable playing XIs
(Subject to official toss-time confirmation; based on recent selections and roles in League Two matches.)
Nepal probable XI
Probable XI: Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Rohit Paudel, Dipendra Singh Airee, Kushal Malla, Bhim Sharki, Aarif Sheikh, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane
Netherlands probable XI
Probable XI: Vikramjit Singh, Max O’Dowd, Musa Ahmad, Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Scott Edwards, Logan van Beek, Wesley Barresi, Fred Klaassen, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren
These XIs align with recent League Two cores, combining top-order solidity, middle-order stroke-makers, and a mix of pace and spin.
Key talking points
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Can Nepal’s batting stand up to Dutch seamers? Recent scores suggest this is the critical battle.
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Home advantage for Netherlands: Playing in familiar conditions where they’ve beaten Nepal and Namibia in back-to-back games.
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Qualification stakes: Every League Two point feeds into the broader World Cup pathway; neither side can afford to slip in an evenly matched rivalry.
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Head-to-head parity: With a roughly level record across recent years, both teams will feel they “know” how to beat the other.
Taking into account current form, home advantage, pitch behaviour, and overall squad depth, Netherlands start as slight favourites for this 120th League Two ODI. Their seam attack is well suited to the mostly cloudy conditions, and recent results—comfortable wins over Nepal and Namibia at this venue—suggest they have a clear template for success.
If Nepal’s top order finds a way to negotiate the new ball and posts 260+ or puts Netherlands under early pressure with the ball, the contest could quickly become a genuine 50–50 clash. But on balance, with momentum, conditions, and squad stability in their favour, Netherlands are more likely to edge this encounter, possibly by a margin of 4–6 wickets or 30–40 runs.