Cricket: Netherlands and Canada win to keep WCL status

Paras Khadka strikes out to the boundary in his innings against The Netherlands. Photo/Supplied

While the start was delayed in the two ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2014 playoff games at the Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, yesterday, play got under way before noon.

The Netherlands, who were desperate for victory in order to keep their ICC World Cup League standing, won the toss and put Nepal in to bat.

The Dutch bowlers took early control of the match and had Nepal in real trouble at 54 for 5, before No6 batsman Sharad Vesawka set out to rescue his side. A patient knock was rewarded with his team's top score of 42 off 90 balls. When Vesawka was removed, Nepal had posted a score of 171 for 9.

Despite losing opener Stephan Myburgh for five runs, the Dutch cruised home to victory. The other Dutch opener, Eric Szwarczynski, smacked his side's highest score of 56, with New Zealand-born skipper Peter Borren there at the end of the seven-wicket win with an unbeaten 45.

Canada also needed a victory in their match with Uganda in order to retain their WCL standing. Uganda lost the toss and were asked to bat by the North American team.

The loss of an early wicket didn't deter opener Brian Masaba, who made 29. When he was caught his team had reached 71 for 2. Middle order batsman Hamza Saleh Almuzahim also contributed with 33. The final eight Ugandan wickets fell for 78 runs with the team posting 149 after facing 49.5 overs.

Canada made a blazing start to the run chase, reaching 119 for 1 after 28 overs.

The match was then halted due to rain and the result was decided using the Duckworth-Lewis method, giving Canada the win by 59 runs.