In an unprecedented display of cricketing drama, the Netherlands triumphed over Nepal in Glasgow after a third Super Over, marking the first time any men’s professional T20 or List A match has gone to such an extreme. It was a truly topsy-turvy encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats!
The Unbelievable Climax: Three Super Overs!
The tension was palpable in the final over of regular play, with Nepal needing 16 runs to win. Nandan Yadav stepped up and smashed fast bowler Kyle Klein for 4, 2, 2, and 4, sending the game into the first Super Over.
Left-arm spinner Daniel Doram, who had been brilliant with 3 wickets for just 14 runs in regular time, was given the ball. However, Nepal’s Kushal Bhurtel unleashed, hitting two sixes and a four to take 19 runs off the over. The Netherlands responded fiercely, with Michael Levitt launching a six on the very first ball, followed by Max O’Dowd’s 6 and 4 off the final two deliveries, pushing the game into a second Super Over.
The drama continued as Lalit Rajbanshi was hit for two sixes in his first three balls in the second Super Over, but he recovered well to restrict the Netherlands to 17. Nepal’s captain Rohit Paudel crashed a six off the first ball, and Dipendra Singh Airee hit a four, bringing the equation down to seven needed off the final ball. Airee then smashed Klein over cow corner, forcing the game into an unbelievable third Super Over.
Finally, off-spinner Zach Lion-Cachet was handed the ball for the decider. He was sensational, grabbing the crucial wickets of Paudel and debutant Rupesh Singh, with Nepal failing to score a single run. With the target set, Levitt calmly stepped up and thumped Sandeep Lamichhane for a six over long-on, clinching a historic victory for the Netherlands!
Early Innings & Key Performances
Earlier in the match, defending a total of 152, Netherlands left-arm pacer Ben Fletcher had a dream T20I debut, getting Lokesh Bam caught behind with his first delivery. Kyle Klein then had Anil Sah caught at mid-on, leaving Nepal struggling at 9 for 2 in 2.1 overs. However, Bhurtel and Paudel launched a counter-attack.
Nepal raced to 52 for 2 in five overs before Doram ended Bhurtel’s brisk innings of 34. The runs dried up significantly after the powerplay, with Doram maintaining control, dismissing Airee and Kiran Thagunna. Nepal reached 97 for 5 after 15 overs, needing 56 off the last five. Rupesh tried to get Nepal going with a four and a six but fell soon after. Paudel and Karan KC kept Nepal in the hunt before the incredible overtime commenced.
Netherlands’ Batting and Nepal’s Spin Web
In their batting innings, Nepal’s seamer Nandan took the new ball and was hit for two consecutive fours by O’Dowd, who then launched fast bowler Karan over the ropes. However, the introduction of spin completely changed the momentum.
Lalit Rajbanshi struck with his very first ball, sending O’Dowd back to the pavilion. Sandeep Lamichhane was brought into the attack after six overs and made an immediate impact, flattening Levitt’s middle stump with his second ball and then having Netherlands captain Scott Edwards caught at deep backward square leg just four balls later. Lamichhane continued his brilliance, striking for a third time to dismiss Noah Croes. Despite the spin dominance, Saqib Zulfiqar’s late powerful blows ensured the Netherlands pushed their total past the 150-run mark.
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