Impressive all the way
It has been nothing short than a superb display of cricket by the 27-year old Bhutanese cricketer Anju Gurung at the inaugural FairBreak Global Invitational tournament which just ended in Dubai.
Bhutan senior women’s vice-captain Anju Gurung was the only player selected from Bhutan for the tournament and she left quite an impression throughout the two-week long tournament even so by making it to the team of the tournament.
Anju Gurung was picked by the management of team Falcons and straight away made it to the playing 11 thereafter featured in all the matches of the tournament. Anju’s impressive run in the tournament ended with a overall economy of 7.16 from 7 matches had best figure of 2 for 26.
The Australian coach of the Falcons, Joanne Broadbent was also left with full admiration for the Bhutanese left arm pacer. Speaking to the tournament press Joanne Broadbent said, “Anju has been bowling so well for us through the tournament.” Captain Suzie Bates also didn’t shy away from showering praises for the Bhutanese speedster at the post-match presentation after the finals.
“To see Anju bowl the way she did the whole tournament and to play against some of the big names in world cricket and getting that confidence up was one of the highlights of the tournament’s impressive”
The President of Bhutan Cricket, Thinley Wangchuk Dorji was all praise for Bhutan’s latest cricket sensation. President Thinley Wangchuk Dorji went on to thank the FairBreak Global for giving Anju Gurung the golden opportunity to participate in the historic maiden tournament.
Speaking to the in-house media, he said, “This tournament presented Anju a massive platform to play cricket with the very best in the world. It was certainly a revelation for Anju playing, training and learning amongst the cricketing greats. Anju’s performance in the tournament was nothing short of outstanding.”
“This exposure to international cricket at the highest level will no doubt have a huge impact on her both as cricketer and as a person moving forward. It may also present a window of opportunity for other Bhutanese cricketers in the future,” he added.
“The tournament viewed by millions internationally through 11 broadcasters also catapulted Bhutan and Bhutan Cricket (an associate member country) onto the cricketing world. Bhutan Cricket would like to thank Anju Gurung for being an excellent ambassador for Bhutan with her stellar performances both on and off the field.”
Anju Gurung continued to perform in every match in the tournament, however, her top contribution came during the semi-finals against team Spirits when she took two crucial opening wickets that of Scottish international Sarah Bryce and Thailand’s Natthankan Chantham and giving away only 26 runs from her 4 overs which proved to be the match winning moment.
Anju Gurung’s other top performances came in the 12th match of the tournament when Falcons played the Sapphires. Bowling against the likes of Sapphires international top batswoman like Elyse Villani, Grace Harris and Babette de Leede. Anju got the best of all giving away only 15 runs from 4 overs.
During the 14th match of the tournament against the tournament winner team Tornadoes. The Falcons fell short losing by seven wickets, however, Anju ended wicket-less but giving away only 22 runs from her 4 overs.
One of the best experiences according to Anju was to bowl against Spirits and world’s number five batswoman also the number world number one all-rounder Sophie Devine from New Zealand.
Anju said, “I knew how big of a player Sophie is and to bowl against her and to keep her away from scoring runs of my ball in itself was a big thing for me.”
“I will treasure the moment of sharing the same dressing room as Suzie Bates, Danni Wyatt, Marizanne Kapp and Chamari
Athapathathu,” she said.
“These guys are world class players and I consider myself lucky to be sharing the same dressing room and got to learn a lot from them. The Falcons captain Suzie Bates is currently the world number seven T20 batswoman and Chamari Athapaththu the 8th world best all-rounder.
Anju Gurung will be back to Bhutan and join her fellow national team mates to prepare themselves for the upcoming ACC women T20 championship which will be held from June 15, 2022 in Malaysia.
The CEO of Bhutan Cricket, Damber Gurug also showered his appreciation for the left armer. Damber Gurung said, “Her performances at the FairBreak was exceptional and I am sure that this experience will help her and Bhutan cricket in general in moving ahead.”
“Through the course of Anju playing at the tournament our other national players will also understand the standard of game and players at that level, he said. “Our other potential national players will also now look into getting entry and play in FairBreak and other international tournaments hereafter.”
The next edition of the FairBreak Invitational tournament will be back to the actual host nation Hong Kong in March next year.
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