Max O’Dowd stars in low-scoring thriller as Netherlands beat Nepal

A packed Dallas crowd were treated to a Max O’Dowd masterclass as Netherlands ran out six-wicket winners over Nepal at the Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Group D of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

O’Dowd anchored the Netherlands chase with a calm and composed half-century, carrying his bat as the Dutch survived a couple of nervy periods to reach 109/4 and win with seven balls to spare.

Earlier, the Netherlands bowling attack put in an impressive display to restrict Nepal to 106 all out in the first innings.

Runs were hard to come by for the Nepal top order on the nation's return to World Cup action for the first time since 2014, with captain Rohit Paudel (35 from 37) the only batter to look comfortable against an attack that picked up wickets at helpful regularity.

Nepal had hope when Sompal Kami had Michael Levitt caught in just the second over.

But O’Dowd and Vikramjit Singh (22) settled any Dutch nerves with a steady 40-run partnership, before Sybrand Engelbrecht added a helpful 14 from 16 to bring the target within reach.

Kami (1/18 from 4), Abinash Bohara (1/29 from 3.4) and Dipendra Singh Airee (1/6 from 2) were the wicket-takers for Nepal, but while O’Dowd was in the middle it was always the men in orange who were in control.

And the experienced opener finished unbeaten on 54* from 48 balls, with Bas de Leede hitting the winning runs to end on 11*(10).