Nepal posted a 237-run target against the Netherlands in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series match at Forthill, Dundee in Scotland on Tuesday.

Nepal’s innings got off to a shaky start as opener Kushal Bhurtel fell cheaply for 18, trapped by Paul Van Meekeren. Anil Sah joined him back in the pavilion soon after for just two runs, also dismissed by Van Meekeren. The visitors were reduced to 29-2 at the end of six overs.

Bhim Sharki and captain Rohit Paudel steadied the ship with a measured partnership, scoring 35 runs apiece. However, Michael Levitt’s disciplined bowling struck twice, dismissing both batsmen to keep the Netherlands in control.

The innings was then anchored by a battling 84 from Aarif Sheikh off 85 balls, featuring seven boundaries and two sixes. His knock was pivotal in pushing Nepal’s total into a defendable range. Contributions from Dipendra Singh Airee (16) and Basir Ahamad (11) helped add valuable runs, but wickets continued to tumble.

The innings wrapped up at 236 for 9 when Sandeep Lamichhane was run out in the penultimate over.

Van Meekeren finished as the pick of the bowlers for the Netherlands with four for 58 in 9.6 overs, while Levitt grabbed three wickets and Aryan Dutt chipped in with one.

Dutch captain Scott Edwards, returning from injury, won the toss and invited Nepal to bat.

Nepal, who beat the Netherlands by five wickets in their previous meeting, have made three changes to their line-up—two due to injuries.

Pace spearhead Sompal Kami and all-rounder Gulshan Jha both miss out. Kami suffered a blow to the elbow from a bouncer during Nepal’s match against Scotland, while Jha has been ruled out with a knee injury. Both players are set to miss next week’s T20I tri-series in Glasgow as well.

Nandan Yadav, a right-arm quick, makes his ODI debut in Kami’s absence. Bashir Ahmad also comes into the XI. Meanwhile, underperforming opener and wicketkeeper Aasif Sheikh has been dropped, with Anil Sah stepping in as his replacement at the top of the order.

The Dutch side welcomed Edwards, who had injured himself while batting against Nepal in their first meeting of the series. He replaces Vikramjit Singh in the playing XI.

Nepal currently have two wins from three matches in this tri-series, while the Netherlands are yet to register a victory—having lost all three of their games, including a tight opener against Nepal where Aarif Sheikh’s composed 78 saw the Rhinos home with five wickets to spare.

Despite their recent poor form, the Netherlands remain second in the overall League 2 standings with 26 points from 22 matches. Nepal, meanwhile, sit on 10 points from 14 games. Only the top four sides in this eight-nation league will progress to the ICC World Cup Global Qualifier.

With both sides eyeing crucial points, today's game could be pivotal in shaping the final League 2 table.