The Netherlands’ Robine Rijke struck a composed half-century as the Dutch beat Nepal by 20 runs in the opening match of the Women’s T20I Triangular Series at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Thursday.

Chasing a competitive 158-run target, Nepal could only manage 137-7 from their allotted 20 overs as wickets tumbled at regular intervals, preventing any significant partnership from flourishing.

Nepal added 17 runs for the opening stand, before opener Samjhana Khadka fell to Iris Zwilling for nine in the third over.

Captain Indu Barma was the next to depart, caught by Zwilling off Caroline de Lange for seven, and Kabita Kunwar added eight runs before being dismissed.

Rubina Chhetry’s brief resistance ended at 11 off 11 when Eva Lynch had her caught by Zwilling.

Khadka’s opening partner Sita Rana Magar held firm at the other end and found some support from U-19 skipper Puja Mahato, who injected momentum into the innings with a rapid 24 off 14 balls.

Mahato’s dismissal by Frederique Overdijk in the 14th over left Nepal in a precarious position at 89-5.

Rana Magar’s measured innings of 45-ball 28 was eventually dismissed by Lynch in the 18th over that left Nepal still requiring 45 runs from the final 19 balls.

Kabita Joshi provided late impetus with a spirited 27 off 17 but the target remained out of reach.

Alisha Yadav and Manisha Upadhyaya made their debuts for the national team.

Lynch and De Lange took two wickets each for the Netherlands, while Zwilling and Overdijk chipped in with a wicket apiece.

Earlier, sent in to bat first, Netherlands posted a formidable 157-4 powered by an unbeaten 59 from Rijke.

Netherlands endured early jitters, losing Phebe Molkenboer for a duck in the second ball of the innings and skipper Babette de Leede for six the next over, with Kunwar and Mahato striking early.

Rijke added 47 runs with Sterre Kalis for the third wicket to steady the ship.

Rana Magar broke the partnership in the 11th over removing Kalis for 29 off 35, but Rijke continued her resistance adding 54 with Heather Siegers, who scored 23 off 19, for the fourth wicket to lay the foundation for a competitive total.

Ishwori Bist struck in the 16th over to remove Siegers and ended their stand.

Rijke then combined with Zwilling for an unbroken 47-run stand, propelling the Dutch to 157-4.

Rijke’s 48-ball knock featured eight boundaries.

Zwilling played an unconquered and explosive knock of 13-ball 31.

Nepal, playing their only second T20I series at home since their five-match T20I series against Uganda in May 2022, next face Thailand on Saturday.

The three teams will play against each other three times in the series, with the top-placed team at the conclusion of the league being crowned winners.