A spirited comeback from Netherlands bowlers dashed hopes of a fairytale ending One-day International (ODI) cricket debutant Nepal on Wednesday at VRA Cricket Ground in Amstelveen.
Following the victory, Netherlands took a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
The game, which marked Nepal's entry into ODI cricket, saw the Paras Khadka-led side lose by 55 runs.
Netherlands bowlers, led by Fred Klaassen, Michael Rippon, captain Pieter Seelaar, restricted Nepal to 134 runs in their pursuit of 190 runs.
Klaassen, Rippon and Seelaar took three wickets each while Bas de Leede got one as Nepal fell way short of their target.
Nepal got off to a great start, courtesy openers Gyanendra Malla, who became the first Nepalese to score a half-century in ODI cricket and Anil Sah, who also made a contribution of 21 runs.
Apart from Malla and Sah, captain Khadka made 12 while Dipendra Singh Airee scored 33 runs.
However, other Nepalese batsmen failed to perform as they were all out inside 42 overs.
As many as four Nepalese batsmen were out for duck.
Earlier, Nepal bowlers led by Khadka (4/26) and Sompal Kami (3/34) restricted Netherlands to 189.
The next ODI is scheduled on August 3.
