Historic T20 Super Smash Clash: Double Retired Outs Mark Unprecedented Tie

In a landmark moment for T20 cricket, two players were retired out in the same innings during a Super Smash match between Northern Districts and Otago at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Sunday.

During Northern Districts’ innings, middle-order batsmen Jeet Raval and Xavier Bell were retired out in the 17th and 18th overs, respectively, as the run chase appeared increasingly challenging.

With 58 runs needed off 24 balls for a victory, Raval was retired out after scoring 23 off 28 balls on the first ball of the 17th over. Subsequently, on the first ball of the next over, Bell, who had scored 9 off 13 balls, faced the same decision.

This strategy proved effective as Northern Districts managed to force a tie, with captain Ben Pomare and Scott Kuggeleijn contributing vital cameos to reach a total of 166 for six in 20 overs, matching Otago’s score.

The tactic of retiring a batter out has gained traction recently, as teams now often focus on scoring quickly rather than conserving wickets.

Although Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi was the first to be retired out in T20 cricket back in 2010, the dismissal method gained wider attention when Rajasthan Royals’ R. Ashwin used it during the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

Since then, 56 players have been retired out, but Sunday’s match marked the first time it happened twice in the same innings.

Published on Jan 04, 2026.