RESULT
Windhoek, January 23, 2015, ICC World Cricket League Division Two
(6.3/50 ov, T:80) 80/3

Netherlands won by 7 wickets (with 261 balls remaining)

Player Of The Match
5/7
ahsan-malik
Report

Netherlands gain promotion after Nepal stumble

A round-up of the ICC World Cricket League Division Two matches on January 23, 2015

Netherlands needed just over 30 overs to crush Uganda by seven wickets in Windhoek. Netherlands' huge win, coupled with Nepal's defeat to Kenya, meant that they finished second in the table to clinch a berth in the 2015-2017 ICC Intercontinental Cup and World Cricket League Championships. Uganda, after being inserted, lasted just 23.4 overs and were bundled out for 79.
Fast bowler Ahsan Malik fetched figures of 5 for 7 to run through Uganda's middle and lower order, as only two players managed double-digit scores. Netherlands had no problem gunning down such a paltry total, and despite losing three wickets, they completed the chase inside seven overs. The massive victory boosted Netherlands' net run-rate to +0.642, and ultimately, it would prove to be the difference between them and Nepal.
Nepal controlled their own destiny for promotion going into their clash against Kenya, but a poor batting display set them on their way to a five-wicket loss and cost them a spot in the top two. Following Netherlands' big victory, Nepal were under pressure to post a sufficient first-innings total to keep their net run-rate healthy, but early wickets from Elijah Otieno (3 for 47) and Lucas Oluoch (2 for 21) pegged them back to 66 for 4. Gyanendra Malla held the innings together with an unbeaten 91 - a knock that featured seven fours - but he was hard-pressed to find partners who stayed long enough at the other end, as Nepal were bowled out for 194.
Kenya knew that a big win would keep them above Canada and seal their place to remain in Division Two rather than be relegated to Division Three, and they went about their chase without any major hiccup. Narendra Patel and Nehemiah Odhiambo fell early, but Irfan Karim counterattacked by muscling a half-century. Karim hit eight fours during his 75, and put up 50-plus stands with Alex Obanda (45) and Rakep Patel (56), as Kenya completed the win in 35 overs, keeping both them as well as Nepal in Division Two.
Gerrie Snyman led Namibia to their fourth win in ICC Cricket League Divison Two with a trailblazing 83 from 74 balls as his side easily chased down 225 to beat Canada. The win means Namibia joins Netherlands moving up into the Intercontinental Cup and WCLC while Canada's loss resulted in relegation to Division Three along with Uganda.
Synman opened the Namibia innings and led the chase in perfect fashion, with eight fours and two sixes. He and fellow opener Stephan Baard put on 133 for the first wicket with Baard contributing 79 in 91 balls. Baard couldn't quite see the chase through but Namibia easily closed out an eight-wicket win with over nine overs in hand.
The chase might have been even more straightforward had the Canada tail not wagged. At 138 for 8, Canada looked to have been blown away by Craig Williams, who took career-best List A figures of 6 for 37 - Nos. 4-7 all making single figures scores. But the final two wickets managed to add 86 to give Canada something to bowl at - but it proved nowhere near enough.

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ICC World Cricket League Division Two

TEAMMWLDPTNRR
NAM541081.025
NED532060.642
NEP532060.388
KENYA52304-0.197
CAN52304-0.317
UGA51402-1.599