Key points
- First-ever men’s T20I with three Super Overs
- Paudel, Bhurtel shine but Dutch hold their nerve
- Zach Lion-Cachet seals historic win with double strike
- Michael Levitt hits winning six in final over
ISLAMABAD: The Netherlands edged past Nepal in a nail-biting encounter by two wickets after an unprecedented three Super Overs during the Scotland T20I Tri-Series clash at Titwood, Glasgow, on Monday.
The match proved to be a thrilling spectacle, highlighting the sheer unpredictability and excitement that T20 cricket has to offer.
Batting first, the Netherlands posted a competitive 152 for 7 from their 20 overs. Vikramjit Singh laid the groundwork with a steady 30 from 29 balls, while Teja Nidamanuru top-scored with 35 off 37 deliveries. Saqib Zulfiqar provided a late flourish, striking a rapid 25 off just 12 balls.
Nepal’s bowling effort
Nepal’s bowling effort was spearheaded by leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, who finished with impressive figures of 3 for 26 in his four overs. Nandan Yadav also made an impact, picking up two wickets.
In response, Nepal stumbled early, losing two wickets in the second over. However, Kushal Bhurtel (34 off 23) and captain Rohit Paudel (48 off 35) steadied the ship with a counter-attacking 43-run partnership.
Despite a mid-innings collapse, a late burst from Nandan Yadav — scoring 12 from just four balls — saw Nepal match the Dutch total of 152 for 8, taking the game into a Super Over.
Final two balls
What followed was pure drama. In the first Super Over, Bhurtel blazed 18 off just five deliveries to set the Netherlands a target of 20.
Max O’Dowd held his nerve under pressure, striking a four and a six from the final two balls to tie the scores once more and force a second Super Over.
The tension continued to mount. Batting first in the second Super Over, the Netherlands racked up 17 runs, largely thanks to Scott Edwards’ aggressive 16 off six balls.
Nepal fought back valiantly — Paudel struck the first ball for six, and Dipendra Singh Airee launched another when six were needed from the penultimate ball — sending the match into a historic third Super Over, the first of its kind in men’s international cricket.
Third Super Over
In a moment of history, the decisive third Super Over finally settled the contest. Dutch off-spinner Zach Lion-Cachet turned the tide with a match-winning over, taking two crucial wickets and preventing Nepal from scoring a single run.
Michael Levitt then brought the curtain down in emphatic fashion, launching the very first delivery for six to seal a nerve-jangling victory for the Netherlands.
Both sides made history, becoming the first teams to feature in a T20I that required three Super Overs to determine the winner.
