Nepal's historic 100th T20I ends in triple Super Over drama

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, June 18: Nepal's 100th T20 International turned into an instant classic as their clash with the Netherlands in Glasgow on Monday became the first-ever T20I to be decided after three Super Overs, with the Dutch side prevailing in nail-biting contest.

After winning the toss, Nepal chose to bowl and held the Dutch to 152/7 in their 20 overs. In reply, the Rhinos matched the total, finishing on 152/8 and forcing a Super Over.

In the first Super Over, Kushal Bhurtel blasted 18 off just 5 balls with two sixes and a four, taking Nepal to 19/1. But the Netherlands held their nerve—Max O'Dowd struck a six and four in a fiery 3-ball 12, while Michael Levitt smacked a six, taking it to a second Super Over.

Batting first in Super Over 2, O’Dowd (7 off 2) and skipper Scott Edwards (9 off 4) lifted the Dutch to 17 with a six apiece. Nepal kept the thriller alive—Dipendra Singh Airee hammered a four and six off Kyle Klein, and Rohit Paudel drilled a maximum, levelling it once again.

The third Super Over proved decisive. Rohit and Rupesh Singh both fell for ducks, and Dipendra couldn’t manage a run against off-spinning all-rounder Zack Lion-Cachet. Needing just one, Levitt dispatched Sandeep Lamichhane’s first delivery over the ropes to seal the win in style.

Earlier, Nepal had found themselves in a tight spot during the chase. Captain Rohit top-scored with a steady 48 off 35 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes. When he and Karan KC fell in the 19th over, Nepal still needed 16 from the final over. Sandeep added 3, and then Nandan Yadav coolly struck a four and a series of twos before needing five off the last ball—he crunched a boundary to force the first Super Over.

Nepal’s innings had started shakily. Lokesh Bam was out for a golden duck in the second over, and Anil Shah followed soon after. Bhurtel and Rohit stitched together a quickfire 43-run stand in just 19 balls to revive the chase. Bhurtel scored 34 off 23 with five boundaries before falling in the sixth over.

Debutant Kiran Thagunna made a gritty 15 off 25, while Rupesh Singh chipped in with 19 off 14 before both fell during the middle overs.

After put on to bat first, the Netherlands were anchored by Teja Nidamanuru's 35 off 37 balls and a late blitz from Saqib Zulfiqar—who remained unbeaten on 22 from just 10 balls with two sixes and a four. Opener Levitt made 20, and O’Dowd chipped in with 19.

Nepal’s bowlers kept things tight—Sandeep starred with 3/18 from his four overs. Lalit Rajbanshi and Kushal Bhurtel picked up a wicket each, while Nandan Yadav bagged two.

The game also marked international debuts for all-rounder Rupesh Singh and batsman Kiran Thagunna.