Introduction: What Is the Netherlands vs Nepal Rivalry?
Cricket fans don’t always talk about Netherlands vs Nepal matchups the way they would India‑Pakistan or England‑Australia, but there’s a real competitive thread between these two teams. Both play a lot of matches in ICC events, especially in ICC Cricket World Cup League 2, T20I tri‑series, and multi‑nation tournaments. Over time they’ve faced off in ODIs and T20Is, and the rivalry has ebbed and flowed — some periods where one side has done better, some where the other has had the edge.
Because both teams are in that associate‑to‑top‑20 range and meet often in global qualifiers and associate competitions, their head‑to‑head tells us a bit about how they stack up internationally beyond the big Test nations.
What Is the Overall Head‑to‑Head Record?
It’s not like there are dozens of games between these two, but they’ve met often enough to be worth talking about:
Overall Head‑to‑Head (All Formats Played)
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Netherlands wins: More matches across both formats.
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Nepal wins: A strong showing, especially in ODIs in World Cup League 2.
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Draws / No Results: Very few, mostly due to weather or tie situations.
The exact all‑format record isn’t formally tallied anywhere as a single number, but we can get a good picture by splitting it into the formats everyone tracks — ODIs and T20Is.
How Do They Compare in One Day Internationals (ODIs)?
ODIs have been the main format where Netherlands and Nepal have met in official international fixtures.
Here’s a quick snapshot of their ODI record:
Netherlands vs Nepal — ODI Head‑to‑Head:
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Matches Played: 5
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Netherlands Wins: 3
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Nepal Wins: 2
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No Result / Tie: 0
So Netherlands have a slight lead in terms of wins, but the margin isn’t huge — and recent results have swung in Nepal’s favour, especially in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 (2023–27) where Nepal claimed wins in 2025 by 16 runs and by 5 wickets over Netherlands.
Recent ODI results include:
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Nepal beat Netherlands by 16 runs in June 2025 at Dundee.
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Nepal also beat Netherlands by 5 wickets earlier in June 2025.
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Other earlier ODI meetings (2024 and before) had mixed results with Netherlands winning some and Nepal winning some.
That means while Netherlands historically might have edged it, Nepal has been strong in the most recent ODI matches, especially in league cricket context.
What About T20 International Matches?
For T20Is, these two teams have played more often, especially with their growing involvement in tri‑series and global qualifiers.
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T20I Matches Played: About 13–15
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Netherlands Wins: 7–8
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Nepal Wins: 5–6
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No Result: 1 (in some head‑to‑head stats)
So T20Is are similarly balanced but slightly in favour of the Netherlands. If you look at some of the recent T20 meetings, there’s a real mix of results:
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Netherlands beat Nepal in T20 matches in 2024 and 2025 in various series and tournaments.
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Nepal beat Netherlands by 6 wickets in Scotland in June 2025.
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A dramatic match in 2025 saw both teams tie and then three Super Overs were played before Netherlands finally won — that was historic and unusual, showing how close some of these games can be.
So the T20 rivalry has its variation too — Netherlands a bit ahead overall but Nepal winning meaningful matches and keeping things tight.
How Do Their Standings Compare in ICC Competitions?
ODI League Tables (World Cup League 2)
In the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 (2023–27 cycle), both teams have been regular competitors. This isn’t exactly a “standings table” between just the two teams, but in that broader league:
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Netherlands often places higher on the points table due to more consistent results across all opponents.
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Nepal has moved up with some key wins, including against Netherlands multiple times in 2025.
In some specific series within that league, the two teams have swapped results, so Nepal’s recent wins helped them climb the table in mid‑2025.
T20 Rankings
In the ICC T20I team rankings around this period, Netherlands generally sit slightly above Nepal, but both teams remain competitive and close, neither one of those static mid‑tier teams with huge gaps. They win against other associate nations and sometimes upset higher ranked sides too.
These standings shift often, but the head‑to‑head record tells a fair story of balance with a slight edge going to Netherlands overall.
How Do Fans Compare the Teams?
A few common points that you’ll hear supporters and analysts mention are:
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Netherlands typically has a bit more experience playing top associates and in world events like the T20 World Cup, so they know how to handle pressure games.
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Nepal often punches above their weight, especially with energetic batting and key bowlers like Sandeep Lamichhane who can turn games around.
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In both formats, neither side completely dominates — the results vary with conditions, squads, venues, and momentum.
So it’s not like one team simply wins every time — they trade wins, and a single series can change perceptions for a while.
Recent Head‑to‑Head Results You Should Know
Here’s a snapshot of some specific matches that highlight this rivalry:
ODI Matches
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June 10, 2025: Nepal won by 16 runs — Nepal 236/9 beat Netherlands 220/10.
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June 4, 2025: Nepal won by 5 wickets — chased Netherlands’ total successfully.
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February 25, 2024: Netherlands beat Nepal by 8 wickets in an ODI.
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February 17, 2024: Nepal won by 9 wickets chasing Netherlands’ score.
So you see, even within ODIs the wins alternate — showing a competitive balance rather than one team always winning.
T20I Matches
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June 4, 2024: Netherlands beat Nepal by 6 wickets in T20 World Cup match.
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February 28, 2024: Netherlands edged Nepal by just 2 runs in T20.
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June 19, 2025: Nepal beat Netherlands by 6 wickets in a tri‑series.
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June 2025 (historic tripole Super Over): Netherlands won after three Super Overs in a dramatic match.
These matches show some real highs and lows in the rivalry — very close margins, big wins, historic events — which keeps fans talking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who Leads the ODI Head‑to‑Head Record?
Netherlands lead the ODI head‑to‑head record 3‑2. It’s close, but they have a slight edge.
Which Team Has More T20 Wins?
In T20Is, Netherlands have more wins overall (about 7–8) to Nepal’s 5–6, though exact counts vary depending on which list you check.
Have Netherlands and Nepal Ever Played a Special Match?
Yes — they played a T20 match in 2025 that went to three Super Overs, a historic and very rare occurrence in professional cricket — which Netherlands eventually won.
Do These Results Matter for World Rankings?
They do — performances in ODI leagues and T20Is contribute to ICC team rankings, and matches between these teams affect where they sit in the table relative to other associate nations.
Final Thoughts
The cricketing rivalry between Netherlands and Nepal is one where neither side can truly dominate, where every match feels competitive, and where momentum can shift from series to series. Netherlands have a slight overall edge in both ODIs and T20Is, but Nepal has shown they can win too and have taken key victories in recent years.
That makes this one of those rivalries where results are tied closely to form, conditions, and individual performances — not just history. And as both teams continue to climb and compete in global qualifiers and ICC events, this head‑to‑head story keeps evolving.