The tri-series encounter in Glasgow between Netherlands and Nepal turned out to be a historic one. In the thrilling encounter, the winner was decided after not one, not two, but three super overs. This is the first instance of a match's winner being decided -- T20 or List A -- via three Super Overs. In the end, Netherlands turned out to be the winner with Michael Levitt hitting Sandeep Lamichhane for a six.
In the first Super Over, Kushal Bhurtel hit two sixes and a four. Netherlands were set a target of 20. Levitt started with a six but only three runs came off the next three deliveries. Then, Max ODowd hit a six and a four which led to a second Super Over.
Lalit Rajbanshi was handed the ball for the second Super Over. Scott Edwards and ODowd hit a six each. Before the last bal, ODowd retired hurt. Edwards was dismissed off the last ball. The Dutch set an 18-run target for Nepal. 11 runs were scored off the first five balls bowled by Kyle Klein. On the last ball, Dipendra Singh Airee hit a six to level scores again.
For the third Super Over, Edwards trusted Zach Lion Cachet was handed the ball. Cachet did not concede a single run and dismissed both batters Paudel and Rupesh Singh. Levitt wrapped the proceedings with a six off Lamichhane as Netherlands won the historic Super Over clash. Lion Cachet was named 'Player of the Match' for his performance in the third Super Over.
Zulfiqar gets Netherlands past 150
Earlier, Nepal won the toss and opted to bowl first. ODowd contributed with an 11-ball 19 before falling to Rajbanshi. Netherlands had 52 runs on the board after powerplay overs. Lamichhane came into the attack and dismissed Levitt and Edwards in the seventh over. Vikramjit Singh could not accelerate and fell to Nandan Yadav in the 12th over. Lamichhane continued to strike and dismissed Noah Croes for a single-digit score. Lion Cachet hit a six and was then dismissed by Bhurtel. Saqib Zulfiqar found boundaries in slog overs and his 12-ball 25 took Netherlands to 152/7. Teja Nidamanuru scored 35 runs from 37 balls before falling in the final over.
Late charge takes Nepal to Super Over
In the run chase, Nepal lost two early wickets in the form of Lokesh Bam and Anil Sah. Bhurtel dealth in boundaries. In the sixth over, he fell victim to Daniel Doram for a 23-ball 34. In his next over, Doram got rid of Dipendra as well. Nepal struggled in the middle overs. Kiran Thagunna's troubled stay at the crease was ended by Doram in the 14th over. He scored just 15 runs from 25 balls. Rupesh contributed with a 14-ball 19 cameo but fell to Lion Cachet in the 17th over. Paudel continued to anchor the run chase. In the penultimate over, Vikramjit dismissed Karan and Paudel but conceded 15 runs. Nepal needed 16 runs in the final over. After two runs off first three balls, Nandan Yadav hit two fours and ran well between the wickets as Nepal was able to take the game to Super Over.
Nepal, Netherlands' next clashes in tri-series
In the tri-series, Nepal and Netherlands' next match is against hosts Scotland on June 17 and 18 respectively at the same venue. Then, Nepal and Netherlands will lock horns again on June 19.