Michael van Gerwen slammed by pundits after declining a match dart to let Mensur Suljovic throw 161

Mensur Suljovic pulled off some of the unimaginable checkouts on the Cazoo World Darts Championship after Michael van Gerwen opted out of a shot on the bull on a 121 for the match.

With the rating poised at two legs apiece heading into the fifth set, Van Gerwen wanted a bullseye to win the match. However, he opted for a single 18 as a substitute – leaving 32 on the board. 

It was a calculated transfer from Van Gerwen as he thought Suljovic would fail hit 161 – which means he might checkout with double 16. However, his techniques backfired as Suljovic pulled off the unthinkable. 

Mensur Suljovic pulled off some of the unimaginable checkouts on the Cazoo World Darts Championship after Michael van Gerwen opted out of a shot on the bull on a 121 for the match

Wayne Mardle on commentary was shocked by Van Gerwen’s determination and highlighted the Dutchman’s conceitedness. The pundit mentioned: ‘He’s not going for it, he thinks somebody averaging 101 will not be going to take out 161.’ 

Suljovic hit a treble 20, treble 17 and bullseye to checkout at 161. Van Gerwen was clearly embarrassed as his facial features dropped instantly, whereas the followers within the crowd went wild for the Austrian star. 

Mardle was equally as impressed with Suljovic, shouting: ‘That is insane, that’s insane, John Part.’ While Part added: ‘That’s completely what we needed to see. He [Van Gerwen] spurned the bull, he mentioned ‘you possibly can’t do it’.

Sky commentators Wayne Mardle (left) and John Part (center) could not imagine their eyes 

Van Gerwen’s face was priceless after Suljovic checked out at 161 on (*161*)

Mardle went on to spotlight Van Gerwen’s embarrassment by yelling: ‘Look at his face, have a look at his face. That is among the most ridiculous issues I’ve ever seen.’

The followers inside the sector had been delighted with Suljovic’s checkout as that they had booed Van Gerwen for his techniques. While these on social media slammed the Dutchman for being ‘disrespectful’ and ‘smug’.

Commentator and former Belgian darts participant Erik Clarys additionally criticsed Van Gerwen, claiming the 33-year-old confirmed his opponent a lack of respect. 

‘It’s so disrespectful. It’s like saying to your opponent: go forward, you possibly can’t do it anyway. When such a nice participant does one thing like that, it must be punished each time.’

While, one fan Tweeted: ‘Exactly why I can not stand MVG, no respect for his skilled counterparts.’ Another added: ‘Phil Taylor usually did this additionally. Glad to see MVG shedding out due to it’.

One darts fan wrote: ‘That was simply good. MVG mentioned come and have a go should you suppose you possibly can take it out, up steps Suljovic and he says OK then, 161 on the bull. Unbelievable match this has been. The look on MVG face was priceless.’

Another added: ‘Van Gerwen gambled that Suljovic couldn’t end the 161, which may be very troublesome. So MVG didn’t go for bullseye. Which is disrespectful. Suljovic punished the conceitedness.’ 

Nevertheless, Van Gerwen beat Suljovic and progressed by way of to the following spherical

Van Gerwen defended his techniques after the match and mentioned he would do it once more if he wanted to

However, Van Gerwen felt very in another way about his techniques and mentioned he would ‘do it once more’ if wanted. Speaking after the sport, the Dutchman mentioned: ‘That transfer on the finish of the fifth set? I’ll do it once more subsequent time’.  

Van Gerwen went on to analyse his efficiency. He mentioned: ‘I had to play very well. I have never seen Mensur taking part in this properly for a very long time. 

‘It did not anticipate this, however however it additionally makes it a good sport. It was tense, there was some good darts – it was wonderful. 

‘I gained the sport, and I feel that is a very powerful factor. I really feel snug, so I hope I can do some extra injury on this World Championship’.