Nepal have posted a meagre 168 runs target for the Netherlands in their fourth match of the ICC World Cup Qualifier played at the Takashinga Sports Club in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Saturday.

Nepal were bundled out for 167 runs in 44.3 overs, thanks to a poor batting display in a crucial match.

Put to bat first after losing the toss, Nepal lost their opener Aasif Sheikh for a duck at 2.2 overs as he attempted a hit a square drive.

Another opener Kushal Bhurtel tried to hold the innings but was caught by the Dutch skipper Scott Edwards off Vikramjit Singh’s delivery in 14.5 overs as he tried to push the ball into deep third. Bhurtel made 27 runs off 42 deliveries, smashing two hits to the fence.

Aarif Sheikh played a 6-run knock before he was caught by Logan Van Beek off Singh’s delivery in 16.1 overs.

Skipper Rohit Paudel top-scored for Nepal at 33 runs off 55 balls, hitting three fours and a six. Paudel was sent back to the pavilion by Logan Van Beek in 31.5 overs.

Bhim Sharki contributed 22 runs off 55 balls as Dipendra Singh Airee made 14 off 21. Gulsan Jha scored 15 off 31 with one hit to the fence while Sandeep Lamichhane made 27 runs.

For the Netherlands, Logan Van Beek claimed four Nepali scalps in his 9.3-over spell, giving away 24 runs. Bas de Leede and Vikramjit Singh grabbed two wickets each.

The outcome of the match is likely to turn decisive to determine the third team from Group ‘A’ for Super Six rounds. Only the top three teams from two groups of five teams each will make it to the Super Six. The two finalists in the Super Six will earn berths for One Day International (ODI) World Cup in India in October and November.