Kathmandu: Nepal suffered a dramatic defeat against the Netherlands in the third Super Over of a nail-biting encounter at the Scotland T20I Tri-Series held at Titwood, Glasgow, on Monday.

The Dutch side clinched victory with a six off the first delivery of the third Super Over after Nepal failed to score. Skipper Rohit Paudel was dismissed on the opening ball, followed by debutant Rupesh Singh, who fell on the fourth delivery, leaving Nepal scoreless.

Earlier, the Netherlands posted 152-7 in their allotted 20 overs after being put to bat first. Nepal, who appeared to be heading for a loss struggling at 122-6 by the end of the 18th over, mounted a late comeback with 15 runs in each of the final two overs, finishing at 152-8 to force the match into a Super Over.

In the first Super Over, both teams scored 19 runs. Nepal’s Kushal Bhurtel smashed 18 runs, including two sixes and a four, before being dismissed on the final ball. Captain Rohit added a single. In response, the Netherlands levelled the score, with Max O’Dowd contributing 12 and Michael Levitt six runs.

The second Super Over also ended in a tie with both teams scoring 17 runs. The Netherlands batted first, with Scott Edwards scoring 9 and O’Dowd 7. For Nepal, Rohit made 7 while Dipendra Singh Airee hit a six off the last ball to reach 10.

Eventually, the Dutch sealed the win in the third Super Over.

Teja Nidamanuru top-scored for the Netherlands in regulation play with 35 off 37 before being bowled by Nandan Yadav. Other notable contributions came from Vikramjit Singh (30 off 29), openers Michael Levitt (20 off 16) and Max O’Dowd (19 off 11), and Saqib Zulfiqar, who remained unbeaten on 25 off 12.

For Nepal, leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane was the pick of the bowlers. He took three wickets conceding 18 runs in his four-over spell. Nandan Yadav claimed two wickets for 18 runs in 2.5 overs before injuring his finger ahead of the final delivery.

Captain Rohit Paudel was Nepal’s top scorer with a brisk 48 off 35 balls, including three boundaries and two sixes. Opener Kushal Bhurtel added 34 off 23, followed by contributions from debutant Rupesh Singh (19 off 14), Kiran Thagunna (15 off 25), and Nandan Yadav (not out 12 off 4).

Daniel Doram starred with the ball for the Netherlands, finishing with figures of 4-0-14-3 while Vikramjit Singh chipped in with two wickets.

The match also marked the T20I debuts of Kiran Thagunna and Rupesh Singh for Nepal, and Ben Fletcher for the Netherlands.

Nepal will face host Scotland in their second match of the series on Tuesday. Scotland had defeated the Netherlands in the tournament opener on Sunday.