Nepal loses historic triple Super Over thriller to Netherlands in its 100th T20I

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s 100th T20I became the first-ever men’s T20I match to go into a third Super Over.

In a roller-coaster match, both teams were locked at 152 at the end of 20 overs. They were tied again in the first and second Super Overs, before the Dutch finally prevailed in the third.

First Super Over
Spinner Daniel Doram, who had bagged three wickets for just 14 runs in regular play, conceded 19 runs in the first Super Over. Kushal Bhurtel blasted two sixes and a four, while Rohit Paudel and Bhurtel ran a single and two.

In reply, the Dutch leveled the score as Michael Levitt scored a six off the first ball and Max O’Dowd finished it with a six and a four off the last two balls to take the Netherlands to 19, forcing a second Super Over. Karan KC had a chance to kill the contest, but fumbled to effect a run out.

Second Super Over
Lalit Rajbanshi took the ball for Nepal in the second Super Over. Despite being hit for two sixes in the first three deliveries, he bounced back to restrict the Netherlands to 17. In reply, Rohit Paudel smashed a six off the first ball, Dipendra Singh Airee struck a four, but left Nepal needing seven off the last ball. Airee delivered under pressure, hammering a six over cow corner to push the game into a third Super Over.

Third Super Over
Nepal made a poor start in the third Super Over as Captain Rohit Paudel was caught in the very first ball. Off-spinner Jack Lyon-Cachet also dismissed without conceding a run. Michael Levitt finished the game with a six off Sandeep Lamichhane to hand the Netherlands victory in the historic clash.

Tight Contest 
Earlier, the Netherlands posted 152/7 in their 20 overs. Teja Nidamanuru anchored the innings with 35 off 37 balls. Vikramjit Singh (30), Michael Levitt (20), Max O’Dowd (19), and Saqib Zulfikar (25* off 12) made valuable contributions for the Dutch.

Sandeep Lamichhane led Nepal’s bowling with three wickets. Nandan Yadav claimed two wickets, while Rajbanshi and Bhurtel bagged a wicket each.

Chasing 153, Nepal lost the wickets of opener Lokesh Bam and Anil Sah in quick succession. However, Bhurtel (34 off 23) and captain Paudel (48 off 35) kept Nepal on the hunt. Debutants Rupesh Singh and Kiran Thagunna added 19 and 15 runs respectively, before Nandan Yadav nearly pulled off the win with a gutsy last over—scoring two fours and two twos off Kyle Klein—to tie the game.