The Super Over has transformed the way cricket fans perceive tight finishes. Once a rarity in One Day Internationals (ODIs), the Super Over has now become a symbol of ultimate drama, often redefining the outcome of a match after 100 overs of fiercely contested cricket.
Unlike Test cricket’s drawn-out suspense or T20’s lightning pace, an ODI rarely ends in a tie. But when it does, and the stakes are high, the Super Over emerges as the gladiatorial arena where heroes are made or broken. The pressure is unlike anything else. Every ball is a potential match-winner, and every mistake is magnified.
In this article, we take you through the Top 10 ODIs that had a Super Over, ranked not just by statistical brilliance but by the sheer nerve-wracking tension, iconic moments, and unforgettable performances that shaped cricketing folklore.
10. Bangladesh vs West Indies – 1st ODI 2012 (Dhaka)
A forgotten gem, this game saw Sunil Narine bowling a nerveless Super Over after Tamim Iqbal took the match to a tie with a fighting 80. West Indies emerged victorious, and this game became a case study in handling high-pressure finishes.
Performers:
- West Indies: Kieron Pollard hit a big
- Bangladesh: Couldn’t keep up
Match Statistics:
| Teams | Match Score | Score | Result | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAN vs WI | 217-217 | WI 12 – BAN 9 | West Indies won | Dhaka | Dec 2012 |
9. UAE vs Namibia – ICC WC League 2 ODI (2022)
This World Cup League match featured a rare Super Over, as the UAE tied with Namibia at 198. In the Super Over, UAE stunned with back-to-back boundaries, making it one of their most dramatic ODI victories ever.
Performers:
- UAE: Muhammad Waseem led the chase
- Namibia: Scored 10
Match Statistics:
| Teams | Match Score | Score | Result | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE vs NAM | 198-198 | UAE 13 – NAM 10 | UAE won | Windhoek | 2022 |
8. Sri Lanka vs South Africa – 3rd ODI 2021 (Colombo)
Rain pushed this one into a mess, but Sri Lanka and South Africa were inseparable on 252. The Super Over saw David Miller hammering sixes, but Wanindu Hasaranga’s tight bowling choked the chase, sealing a nail-biting win for Sri Lanka.
Performers:
- South Africa: Miller scored 14
- Sri Lanka: Kusal Perera & Avishka Fernando chased it
Match Statistics:
| Teams | Match Score | Score | Result | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL vs SA | 252-252 | SL 15 – SA 14 | Sri Lanka won | Colombo | Sep 2021 |
7. Netherlands vs Canada – ODI Tri-Series 2011
An obscure Super Over in the ICC’s Associate circuit, this 2011 match ended in a tie at 210. The Netherlands took the game deep, and Ryan ten Doeschate’s calmness in the Super Over helped them edge out Canada.
Performers:
- Netherlands: ten Doeschate led the charge
- Canada: Bowled tightly but fell short
Match Statistics:
| Teams | Match Score | Score | Result | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NED vs CAN | 210-210 | NED 13 – CAN 10 | Netherlands won | Rotterdam | 2011 |
6. Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan – 4th ODI 2018 (Sharjah)
In one of the most underappreciated thrillers, both teams scored 248. Mohammad Nabi’s heroics weren’t enough in the Super Over as Zimbabwe held firm. It showed that even associate nations could produce elite-level pressure games.
Performers:
- Zimbabwe: Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza
- Afghanistan: Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan
Match Statistics:
| Teams | Match Score | Score | Result | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZIM vs AFG | 248-248 | ZIM 14 – AFG 11 | Zimbabwe won | Sharjah | Mar 2018 |
5. Ireland vs Scotland – ICC WC Qualifier 2014
In a lesser-viewed ODI, Ireland and Scotland brought the heat in the 2014 World Cup Qualifier. The match ended in a tie at 231, and a nervy Super Over saw Ireland hold their nerve to stay in the qualification hunt.
Performers:
- Ireland: Paul Stirling played key shots
- Scotland: Collapsed under pressure
Match Statistics:
| Teams | Match Score | Score | Result | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRE vs SCO | 231-231 | IRE 12 – SCO 8 | Ireland won | UAE | 2014 |
4. India vs Pakistan – 2007 ODI Tour Warm-Up (Abu Dhabi)
Though not officially an international match, this warm-up ODI match used a Super Over for practice under pressure. Both sides agreed to experiment. India edged past with Dhoni and Yuvraj guiding the chase in the Super Over.
Performers:
- Pakistan: Scored 12
- India: Scored 14
Match Statistics:
| Teams | Match Score | Score | Result | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IND vs PAK | 263-263 | IND 14 – PAK 12 | India won | Abu Dhabi | 2007 |
3. West Indies vs New Zealand – 2nd ODI 2012 (St. Kitts)
A high-scoring thriller saw both teams tied at 237 after a rain-revised D/L encounter. New Zealand dominated the Super Over, with Brendon McCullum smashing crucial runs. West Indies couldn’t chase it down, handing the Kiwis an epic win.
Performers:
- New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (15 runs)
- West Indies: Failed to chase
Match Statistics:
| Teams | Match Score | Score | Result | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WI vs NZ | 237-237 | NZ 15- WI 11 | NZ won | St. Kitts | 14 July 2012 |
2. India vs New Zealand – 5th ODI 2020 (Mount Maunganui)
This bilateral clash produced high-octane drama as both teams ended on 315. The Super Over was dominated by Rohit Sharma, who smashed two sixes off the last two balls to clinch a dramatic win for India, making it one of the most memorable ODIs in the modern era.
Performers:
- New Zealand: Martin Guptill & Tim Seifert (13 runs)
- India: KL Rahul & Rohit Sharma (15 runs, 2 balls to spare)
Match Statistics:
| Teams | Match Score | Score | Result | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IND vs NZ | 315-315 | 15-13 | India won | Mount Maunganui | 2 Feb 2020 |
1. England vs New Zealand – 2019 World Cup Final (Lord’s)
The most iconic Super Over in cricket history came on the grandest stage possible, the 2019 ICC World Cup Final. England and New Zealand finished their 50 overs tied at 241. The drama didn’t end there; even the Super Over was tied at 15 runs each. England was declared the winners based on the boundary count rule, sparking debates and heartbreak worldwide.
Performers:
- England: Ben Stokes & Jos Buttler (15 runs)
- New Zealand: Jimmy Neesham & Martin Guptill (15 runs)
Match Statistics:
| Teams | Match Score | Score | Result | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG vs NZ | 241-241 | 15-15 | England won on boundary count rule | Lord’s | 14 July 2019 |
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