Netherlands Women vs Nepal Women, 9th Match, Group B

The upcoming clash between Netherlands Women and Nepal Women in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier 2026 promises an intriguing contest. Both teams have demonstrated growth and resilience in the tournament so far, although their journeys reflect different strengths. Netherlands Women have showcased a disciplined bowling attack complemented by aggressive stroke play in the middle order. Their recent matches have highlighted the impact of key batters such as Sterre Kalis, whose consistency at the top has provided solid starts. Conversely, Nepal Women bring a spirited approach with their young all-rounders making significant contributions, especially with the ball. The South Asian side relies heavily on nimble spinners and dynamic fielding units to stifle opponents. Head-to-head history between these two sides is limited but competitive, reflecting evolving team compositions and strategies. Netherlands often capitalizes on experience and shape, while Nepal thrills with unpredictability and energy. On a pitch at Mulpani Cricket Ground that tends to assist spinners and slow bowlers, both teams will likely strategize around their bowling strengths. Netherlands may aim to control proceedings via precise seam and spin variations, while Nepal may leverage power hitting upfront and use their spinners for middle-overs containment. In terms of key player performances, Netherlands’ captain and all-rounder Iris Zwilling's recent form with both bat and ball gives her team a vital edge. Nepal’s star spinner Sapana Chhetri's knack for breaking partnerships could prove pivotal. The strategic use of bowling rotations and assessing batting order flexibility will determine the eventual edge. Given recent performances, adaptability to conditions, and player form, the winning probability slightly favors Netherlands Women but cannot discount Nepal’s spirited performances and hunger for upset.

Winning Probability: Netherlands Women: 56%, Nepal Women: 44%

If Netherlands Women bat first, they are likely to post a competitive total of around 140-150 runs, capitalizing on their steady top order and ability to accelerate in the death overs. Their batting depth allows them to rebuild if early wickets fall. On the other hand, Nepal Women batting first might score slightly lower, around 130-140 runs given their aggressive start but occasional vulnerability to pressure in middle overs. However, their dynamic hitting ability means even modest totals can be defended effectively on the slow pitch at Mulpani. The ground favors spinners, so batting teams will need to time their scoring phases carefully, focusing on rotating the strike and targeting pace bowlers for boundaries.

The Mulpani Cricket Ground typically offers a slow, low-bounce pitch which heavily assists spin bowlers. Over the past few tournaments, the average first-innings score here has hovered around 135 runs, with teams batting second winning approximately 55% of matches, indicating an advantage for sides chasing under lights or on deteriorating surfaces. Weather forecasts suggest dry, sunny conditions with minimal chance of rain, conducive to a full 20-over game. Among the players from these teams with notable performances on this ground, Netherlands’ pacer Emily van der Heyden has recorded best figures of 3/18 in previous contests, highlighting her effectiveness in seam conditions here. Nepal’s batswoman Sita Ranamgar, with a high score of 56* on this venue, stands out as the key batter. The ground record for highest individual score between these teams belongs to Sterre Kalis (Netherlands) with a 61-run innings here, underscoring her influence.

Matches Played	Netherlands Women Wins	Nepal Women Wins
4	2	2

Team Recent Performance

Team	Last 5 Matches (W/L)
Netherlands Women	W, L, W, W, L
Nepal Women	L, W, W, L, W

Sterre Kalis - Netherlands' dependable opener with consistent scores; her ability to anchor innings on slow pitches makes her a vital threat.

Iris Zwilling - Captain and all-rounder, recent performances show impactful bowling spells and handy runs down the order.

Emily van der Heyden - Effective pace bowler exploiting pace variations; known for key wickets in the powerplay overs.

Sita Ranamgar - Nepal's top-order batter, recently scored a vital unbeaten half-century; a key run-scorer in pressure situations.

Sapana Chhetri - Leading spinner for Nepal, excellent in controlling run flow and picking wickets in middle overs.

Binita Thapa - Young fast bowler exhibiting energy and wicket-taking abilities in recent matches, crucial in death overs.