The Netherlands and Nepal have etched their names in the cricket record books after the two sides could not be split until a third super over eventually found a winner in their T20 clash in Glasgow.
It is the first time that a men’s professional match – either T20 or List A – has gone to a third super over with the Dutch opener Michael Levitt finally clubbing a six to clinch his side’s memorable triumph.
The Netherlands looked to be cruising to victory after setting a target of 153 and with Nepal needing 16 runs from the last over and tailenders Sandeep Lamichhane and Nandan Yadav at the crease.
But after Lamichhane rotated the strike, Yadav hit two boundaries including one off the last ball of the innings through cover to level the scores.
The momentum stayed with Nepal in the first super over as Kushal Bhurtel blasted two sixes and a four to lift his side to 19-1 before being caught off the last ball.
Levitt kicked off the Netherlands’ chase with a six before leaving Max O’Dowd with plenty to do until the opener smashed a six and a boundary to again finish all square with Nepal.
The Netherlands returned to the crease to start the second super over with the captain, Scott Edwards, smashing the first ball over the rope and O’Dowd soon adding another six with a strong square cut as the pair finished on 17-1.
The Nepal skipper, Rohit Paudel, led his side’s reply with a first-ball maximum while opening partner Dipendra Singh Airee ended the over with a slog for six to take the contest into a historic third super over.
But the wheels fell off from there for Nepal as Paudel was caught on the boundary off the first ball and Dutch off-spinner Zach Lion-Cachet claimed a second scalp to end the innings before the batting side had scored.
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Levitt only needed a single to seal the win but finished a remarkable match in dramatic style with a six over long-on off Lamichhane’s first ball of the third super over.
Nepal will be back in action against Scotland on Tuesday as part of the T20 tri-series, while the Netherlands have time to look back on their incredible moment of cricket history as the winner of the first triple super over.
