What Is Super Over In Cricket? Everything You Need To Know!

Pakistan lost to USA in super over during T20 World Cup 2024 (AP)Pakistan lost to USA in super over during T20 World Cup 2024 (AP)

On June 6, the T20 World Cup 2024 witnessed a thrilling finish between Pakistan and the USA after the latter beat the former in the high-voltage super-over contest. But what exactly is super over? How and when is it enforced?

Cricket is a simple game where a team batting first sets a run total, and the opposition batting second has to score 1 run extra than the preset total to win the contest.

However, not every time a game sees a definite and straightforward result. Often, when the team batting second scores equal runs as the team batting first, the game stays tied. 

Earlier, one point each used to be awarded to both teams in case of ties. However, in the recent past, ICC came up with the super over concept to get a definite result for the T20 World Cup 2024.

A Super Over is a tiebreaker method wherein both teams compete in a one-over face-off. A single bowler gets to bowl a total of 6 deliveries. 

The opposition has to score as many runs as they can in those six deliveries before the allowed two wickets fall. Only three batters get to bat in a single super over. Notably, normal cricket rules apply during the super over, including wides, no-balls, and other penalties.

Then the opposition has to chase down the total inside the next six deliveries. The rules stay the same as the team batting second also gets to field only three batters.

That being said, in case the super over also gets tied, as per the revised ICC rule, the game will continue for another round of super over. The super-over saga continues until a definite result prevails.