Scotland T20I Tri-Series 2025 5th Match Results

updated：Nepal beat Netherlands by 6 wickets.

Nepal pulled off a thrilling win over the Netherlands in the T20I Tri-Series in Scotland, chasing down 175 with just two balls to spare! Kushal Bhurtel was the star with a classy 65 off 51, setting the tone early. Despite a few stumbles in the middle, Aarif Sheikh’s fiery 39 (retired hurt) and some cool finishing from Dipendra Airee and Lokesh Bam sealed the deal. Netherlands had put up a solid 174/7, but Nepal’s batters stayed calm under pressure. It was a nail-biter at Titwood, Glasgow, and the crowd loved every minute. Nepal wins by 6 wickets, and the Tri-Series just got a lot more exciting!

Kushal Bhurtel starred with a half-century as Nepal sealed a nail-biting win against the Netherlands in Glasgow 💥#NEPvNED 📝: https://t.co/cJuGua2IDf pic.twitter.com/gniSbpEw5e

— ICC (@ICC) June 19, 2025

NEP vs NED 2025 5th T20I – Too Young a Side? Can Nepal’s Youthful Energy Break Through?

Let’s be honest. Netherlands adapting to neutral venues needs no introduction anymore. But when it comes to Nepal, the story is quite different. Age-wise, the team is extremely young. Forget international exposure for a second. The question is, can these boys hold their nerves on such a slow and testing surface like Forthill?

It’s not just about talent, it’s about temperament. Add to that the lack of squad depth, and the team becomes very vulnerable to targeted bowling plans. Frankly speaking, Nepal will have to punch well above their weight to stay in the game.

NEP vs NED – Nepal’s Batting Line-up Under the Scanner

Nepal’s regular top-order setup goes like this: Bhurtel and Sheikh open the innings, Malla and Airee provide the middle-over boost. And that’s about it. That’s the issue. Too much reliance on too few.

There’s no real batting depth to fall back on. If Bhurtel, Sheikh or Malla get out early, which is very likely at a slow pitch like Forthill, then where are the runs going to come from? Airee is consistent, yes, but the rest of the line-up doesn’t inspire much confidence under pressure.

NEP vs NED – Dutch Bowlers Who Can Trouble Nepal Naturally

If I can see the gaps in Nepal’s line-up, I’m sure the Dutch coaching staff can too. Expect Netherlands to go all-in with their most suitable options, and two names stand out: Paul van Meekeren and Fred Klaassen.

Both are tailor-made to exploit this surface. Seam, swing, and disciplined lengths will trouble the attacking mindset of Bhurtel, Malla and company. Even if Nepal reshuffles the batting order to avoid them, don’t forget Bas de Leede, who can bowl those pesky slower ones and hit that uncomfortable length. The Dutch have the tools. It’s up to Nepal to survive them.

NEP vs NED – Natural Disadvantage: Europe vs Asia Conditions

In my previous piece, SCO vs NED 2025 4th T20I Match – Prediction for Scotland vs Netherlands is One Win Each, I had already highlighted how well suited the Dutch are to playing at Forthill. The climate, the surface, and the pace of the pitch all feel familiar to them. Netherlands are comfortable operating in colder and windier conditions with slower tracks.

Nepal, by contrast, are used to the dry heat and hard, bouncy pitches typical of South Asian venues. The difference in environment is huge, covering everything from weather and pitch behavior to the overall rhythm of the game. Expecting Nepal to adapt to this within six days is a big ask, especially if they are also trying out tactical approaches they do not regularly use. A defeat would not be surprising under these conditions. That is simply the reality when teams from two very different cricketing environments meet.

NEP vs NED – Predicted Score for Nepal?

This will be Nepal’s third game at Forthill. While they must have made some adjustments by now, I still don’t expect them to post a very high total. Realistically, their score will likely fall between 110 and 130 runs, whether batting first or chasing. Unless someone plays an extraordinary innings, breaking out of that range will be very difficult. For the Netherlands, sticking to their game plan should make this a fairly straightforward win.

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NEP vs NED 2025 5th T20I – Key Players to Watch

Nepal’s Key Players to Watch

• Kushal Bhurtel – Bhurtel is Nepal’s main opening batsman, averaging around 31 runs in his last 30 T20Is, showing consistent control and scoring ability. However, his performance tends to dip on slow, damp pitches like Forthill, where his scoring efficiency has dropped by over 15%. Against Dutch bowler Paul van Meekeren, Bhurtel has scored an average of only 15 runs in their last three encounters, indicating a need for tactical adjustments.
• Dipendra Singh Airee – Known for his explosive hitting, Airee has an attacking strike rate exceeding 120 in T20Is. But his impact is highly dependent on pitch conditions. The slow, low-bounce nature of Forthill limits his power and speed. In five previous matches against the Netherlands, his average score was just 12, often suppressed by van Meekeren and Klaassen.
• Kushal Malla – Malla is a middle-order batsman averaging about 26 runs per T20I with a strike rate near 130. While effective on faster pitches, his experience adapting to slow wickets is limited. In similar conditions, he’s been dismissed early in two international games. Facing the Netherlands’ slow bowling attack, he needs to improve his patience and shot selection.
• Sompal Kami – Kami is an experienced all-rounder with over 40 T20I appearances, averaging 1.5 wickets per match with consistent performances. As a versatile player who adapts well to different conditions, his role on slow pitches is crucial for Nepal’s defense. He can also contribute valuable lower-order runs, helping Nepal counter the Dutch slow bowling unit effectively.

Netherlands’s Key Players to Watch

• Paul van Meekeren – Van Meekeren is the lead fast bowler known for his accuracy and variations, especially effective on slow pitches like Forthill. His economy rate on similar grounds is consistently under 7 runs per over. He has been particularly successful against Nepal’s aggressive batsmen such as Malla and Airee, making him a key asset in containing their scoring.
• Bas de Leede – De Leede is a middle-order batsman with a strong all-around game. He has proven his ability to disrupt Nepal’s batting rhythm in previous encounters. His experience playing on slower pitches helps him adjust to Forthill’s conditions, balancing aggression and patience effectively.
• Max O’Dowd – A reliable opening batsman, O’Dowd is skilled at controlling the innings tempo and minimizing early losses. He averages above 30 on European slow wickets, providing stability at the start and laying a solid foundation for the Netherlands.
• Kyle Klein – Though young, Klein impresses with his variety and slow bowling skills. His ability to exploit slow pitch conditions is vital in pressuring Nepal’s younger batsmen. In past matches against Nepal, he has shown consistency and potential to be a key wicket-taking bowler.

NEP vs NED 2025 5th T20I – Possible Squad List

NEP vs NED 2025 5th T20I – Preview & Match Details:

Match Name: Scotland T20I Tri-Series

Match Date: 19th Jun 2025

Match Time: 06:30 PM IST

Competing Teams: Nepal vs Netherlands 5th T20I (NEP vs NED)

Venue: Forthill Cricket Ground, Dundee

Note：The match has not started yet, but updates will be provided regularly once it begins.

NEP vs NED 2025 5th T20I – Venue History&Analysis: Forthill Cricket Ground

Stadium Capacity: Open-air

Stadium Address: Broughty Ferry, Dundee, Angus, Scotland

Stadium History:

Forthill Cricket Ground has a history spanning over 140 years. It was established in 1884 in Dundee, Scotland. However, as mentioned in previous introductions, football is the dominant sport in the area, and due to the temperate maritime climate, cricket matches are held very infrequently. Therefore, cricket is not particularly popular locally. The first official international match was only held in 2019. Other international matches mainly consist of contests between various countries’ academies and Scotland’s domestic competitions.

Stadium Features:

Forthill Cricket Ground is typical of a temperate maritime climate, with generally low scoring matches. The average first innings score is about 94.5 runs, while the average second innings score drops sharply to 68.3 runs. However, this statistic does not include data from top-tier teams like India, so it should be taken as a reference only. It still reflects the ground’s tendency for lower scores due to factors such as heavy moisture, soft pitches, long boundaries, and strong winds. Therefore, adjustments are necessary for power hitters when playing at this venue.

Advantage Analysis:

Forthill is characterized as a slow-paced pitch, while Nepal’s home ground and most of their past matches have been on relatively faster pitches. Hence, Nepal needs to adapt significantly to the conditions and also adjust their batting order. Although Nepal has played two matches here so far, I do not believe a team accustomed to faster pitches can quickly adapt. Additionally, key power hitters like Malla and Airee are likely to be restricted by the conditions. On the other hand, the Netherlands team is naturally suited to slower pitches, and the venue further benefits their bowlers. Paul van Meekeren and Klaassen are very likely to thoroughly suppress Nepal’s batsmen.

All Scotland T20I Tri-Series Match:

• SCO vs NED 2025 1st T20I Match – A fresh face-off at an unfamiliar venue this year! Can Scotland cash in on the home advantage?
• NED vs NEP 2025 2nd T20I Match – Familiar rivals, unfamiliar turf! With the coastal winds swirling at Forthill, what twists will this venue bring?
• SCO vs NEP 2025 3rd T20I Match – A match of complete dominance, does Nepal still have a chance?
• SCO vs NED 2025 4th T20I Match – Prediction for Scotland vs Netherlands is One Win Each
• SCO vs NEP 2025 6th T20I Match – A Series Where Nepal Might End Up Chasing More Than Celebrating