In what will be remembered as one of the most dramatic T20 matches in cricket history, the Netherlands edged past Nepal after an extraordinary three super overs in Glasgow. This gripping encounter marked the first instance in men’s professional cricket across both T20 and List A formats where a game remained tied after two super overs, requiring a third to determine the winner.
The Dutch initially appeared poised for a straightforward victory after posting a competitive 153-run total. Their bowlers maintained control throughout most of Nepal’s chase, leaving the Asian side needing 16 runs from the final over with only tailenders Sandeep Lamichhane and Nandan Yadav at the crease. However, Yadav stunned the crowd with two crucial boundaries, including one from the final delivery to tie the match.
With the scores level, the match moved into its first super over, where Nepal’s Kushal Bhurtel hammered two sixes and a four to put up a strong total of 19-1. In response, Michael Levitt gave the Dutch a promising start with a six, and Max O’Dowd held his nerve under pressure to match Nepal’s total, sending the match into an unprecedented second super over.
In the next round, Netherlands captain Scott Edwards launched the first delivery for six, and O’Dowd added another, taking the team to 17-1. Nepal refused to bow out quietly Rohit Paudel began their reply with a maximum, and Dipendra Singh Airee ensured another tie with a last-ball six, pushing the already thrilling encounter into a historic third super over.
By this stage, both teams had thrown everything they had into the game, but Nepal faltered when it mattered most. Paudel was caught on the boundary off the first ball of their third super over, and Dutch spinner Zach Lion-Cachet dismissed another batter without allowing a run to be scored.
With just one run needed to win, Levitt had the chance to end the saga in a simple fashion but he chose spectacle over safety, smashing the first delivery over long-on for six to seal an unforgettable victory for the Netherlands.
This match will go down as a milestone in T20 cricket history not just for its thrilling finish, but for its rare and record-setting sequence of events. While Nepal showed tremendous fight, especially from unlikely positions, it was the composure and firepower of the Dutch side that ultimately delivered a triumph for the ages.
Nepal won’t have much time to dwell on the loss, with a clash against Scotland scheduled next. For the Netherlands, however, this win will be remembered as a defining moment in their cricketing journey.
