‘Scots, Dutch & Nepal show associate cricket in best light’

Five more final-over finishes, five more matches, and a pitch invasion all come to mind.

The trip to Scotland between the Netherlands and Nepal was epic and action-packed.

Some of the most captivating cricket on offer anywhere in the world has been produced by the pairing of Dundee and Glasgow in their six ODI matches.

Nepal’s involvement has been a key component of the series’ compelling nature.

After a remarkable defeat by the Netherlands following three super overs, Scotland’s Mark Watt posted a question on social media: “Do Nepal ever have a regular game of cricket?”

Match after match went to the wire for the “Cardiac Kids,” which they had for three weeks in Scotland.

They won five of their eight matches in foreign conditions with a dramatic one-wicket victory over the hosts, and they continue to play with the same intensity and spirit the entire way.

Tens of thousands more watched from home in Dundee and Glasgow as passionate supporters demonstrate their support.

After that one-wicket win over Scotland, that enthusiasm was no more evident than in a cheery pitch invasion.

Nepal has made it clear that they want to play Test cricket one day and become a full member of the ICC.

They appear to only engage in thought-provoking matches. They excel in the field, have a varied bowling style, and don’t seem to know when they are down.

Rohit Paudel, the skipper of Nepal, told BBC Sport, “I guess it’s how we’ve played cricket for the past ten or so years.”

“Every game seems to be ending.”

Teams are frequently denied the talents they have developed and nurtured because the sport is increasingly dominated by franchises.

Due to more lucrative franchise agreements, New Zealand’s and world champions South Africa’s best players are not able to access them, even at the highest level.

England, Australia, and India are currently the owners of the Five-Test series.

Although part of the ICC’s plan is to “give more nations a global platform,” there are few and far between opportunities for teams outside the big three.

Scotland and cricket receives approximately £1.3m per year as part of the ICC’s revenue share to fund all their programmes, men’s and women’s, approximately 10% of what a full member such as Ireland receive.

Although World Cup League 2 is far from the highest-profile ODI game in the world, it offers everything to these teams: a chance to win the World Cup and a chance to show their worth to the big players.

Players give it their all, never realizing when the next game will be played.

The Dutch surpassed Scotland’s record-breaking 369 with Max O’Dowd’s magnificent 158 not out in Dundee, which is the most impressive total in associate history.

O’Dowd and his team-mates celebrated by putting an end to a four-game losing streak in front of them.

Yet, there isn’t scheduled a second ODI until 2025.

These countries require more fixtures, but the extra cost also comes with it.

Associate members contend that to build on the strong foundations that already exist, they need more funding, whether it comes from the ICC, governments, or through commercial sponsorships.

Scotland and the Netherlands have a significant benefit of playing at a World Cup in India and Sri Lanka the following year in addition to their T20 qualifiers for the upcoming July T20 tournament.