In what was one of the best matches between two associate members in the words of the commentators, Bhutan defeated Maldives by six runs to register their first win of the ongoing quadrangular series yesterday at the YSD-UKM Oval, Malaysia. With the win over Maldives, Bhutan also created history as they registered their first international T20 win. Bhutan will look to continue the momentum as they take on Thailand in the next match and a win against Thailand will keep Bhutan’s hope alive for the finals. Having started poorly losing by 155 runs to host Malaysia in the opening match of the tournament, Bhutan came close to overcoming Malaysia in the second match-up, however, losing by 39 runs. Bhutan was on the verge of reaching the historic feet earlier as the tournament favorite Malaysia were put in a rabbit hole situation in their second match-up. Bhutan was all-over Malaysia picking up eight wickets for just 51 runs after 10 overs. The host however, managed to extricate themselves through their bowling effort and beat Bhutan by 39 runs to take 2-0 lead. Speaking to Bhutan Cricket in-house media, team Captain Jigme Singye expressed his joy and excitement for the win and how the team is feeling in the dugout. “We should have won against Malaysia earlier as well, however, the boys are coming back stronger with every match,” he said. “The younger players are stepping up which is a great sign for Bhutan cricket and the future of Bhutan cricket,” he added. Namgay Thinley was adjudged the player of the match for his outstanding display with both bat and bowl. Bhutan takes on Thailand tomorrow in the morning match at the same venue.
Knights beat Warriors by 7 wickets
Thimphu Knights consolidated their top four spot in the ongoing Bhutan T20 Smash 2022 defeating True Warrior’s by 7 wickets today at Jigmethang cricket ground, Thimphu. Knight’s opening pacer Barun Wakhley got the best of True Warrior’s opening batsman Soenam Jamtsho bowling him out for a duck with eight on the scorecard. Knight’s speedster Dawa trapped Warrior’s key batsman Kinga Loday for a leg before wicket (LBW) of his first bowl as Knights bagged their second. Sanjay Pradhan (23 off 22) and Manish (15 off 14) showed some resistance as they put on 32 runs partnership for the third wicket before Manish was bowled by Dawa for his second and Knights third wicket. Warrior’s all-rounder Kezang Nima failed to take the score ahead as he was bowled by Karma Dorji in the fourth over. Tarun Kumar fired quick 20 runs off 12 balls before Sanjog Chhetri came up with a brilliant stumping off Suman Pradhan’s bowling. On the other side Knight’s most experienced off-spinner gave nothing loose for the Warrior batsmen ending his spell of four overs giving just 12 runs and picking two wickets. Suman Pradhan picked up Warrior’s skipper Prashan Chhetri bowling him for his third wicket. Warrior’s tailender Yueyong Phuntsho accelerated the score with some big blows towards the end scoring 24 off 12 balls as they lost all 10 wickets for 143 runs. Knight’s started slow scoring 32 off 30 balls before opener Tandin Wangchuk was trapped infront off Thukten Yoezers bowling. Knight’s lost their other opener Pasa Wangdi in a mis-led run out with 55 on the scoreboard. Suman Pradhan was bowled in the same over by Kezang Nima giving Knight’s some sort of worry as they required 88 off the last 10 overs. However, Knight’s wicket-keeper batsman Sanjog Chettri and Kencho Norbu did no mistake rotating the strike and hitting the occasional boundaries. Sanjog (46 off 31 balls) and Kencho (33 off 23) took Knights home to a comfortable seven wicket win. Suman Pradhan was declared the player of the match for the three wickets haul.
Paro Bluemoon end with a win
Paro Bluemoon CC defeated Dantak XI by 71 runs in their final match of the Bhutan T20 Smash 2022 to end the tournament on a high. Paro opener Tulsi Biswa and Chamling Rai gave their team the best start possible smacking for a tournament opening partnership of 101 in just 48 balls which also includes the highest run (75) in the powerplay. Tulsi Biswa was unstoppable hitting nine boundaries and three sixers for his 64 off 31 balls before a mix-up between the two openers got Tulsi run-out from a direct hit on the stumps by wicket-keeper William Rana. Chamling was bowled by Nirmal Kumar in the 12th over to give Dantak their second. Kishen Ghalley played the anchoring job for his well accumulated 37 off 26 balls before he was caught by Shrikant Hanamant off Yespal Singh’s bowling. Sanjit Biswa added 26 runs from 22 balls as Paro Bluemoon compiled a mammoth 205 target for Dantak XI. It was always going to be a huge task for the Dantak XI but with a good attacking batting line-up it would seem possible. A lot depended on how Pawan Mehta started the innings however, Pawan Mehta was dismissed in the fifth over by skipper Nabin Chettri to turn the chair towards Paro Bluemoon. Rakesh Dhiman lasted only a ball as he was bowled off the first ball in the next over. Wickets kept falling from one side of the wicket as Dantak XI saw themselves lose seven wickets with 90 runs on the scoresheet. Paro was all over Dantak before Pawan Kumar was bowled for a well- played 47 runs off 45 balls to hand Paro a consolation win. Tulsi Biswa and adjourned the man of the match for his blistering knock with the bat.
SKD All Stars hold their stands
SKD All Stars defeated True Warrior’s by 13 runs to remain as the table topper of the ongoing Bhutan T20 Smash 2022 held at Jigmethang cricket ground today. Having won the toss SKD All Star elected to bat first and it took only 13 balls before they lost their attacking opener Khendrup Jangchub at 21 to Warrior’s strike bowler Kezang Nima caught by Tandin Needup. SKD’s other opener Tandin Wangchuk joined his fellow partner the very next ball as he was bowled by Kezang Nima. Skipper Jigme N Dorji and Jigme Wangchuk started to build a handy partnership putting up 42 runs for the third wicket before Jigme Wangchuk (31 of 17) was caught by Sagar Sharma off Ugyen Wangchuk in the sixth over. Jigme Dorji couldn’t last long as he was brilliantly run out by Sagar Sharma. Soenam Jamtsho gave SKD All Star the extra pressure as he bowled off the first ball as the score stood at 63. SKD struggled to compile any fight back as they set up 138 runs target for the loss of nine wickets. True Warrior’s started brilliantly getting both opener Kezang Nima and Sagar Sharma with only 13 runs on the board. Manish Giri played some dynamic shots around the ground getting to 25 of just 10 balls before Jigdrel Wangchuk got him bowled. Sanjay Pradhan played the anchoring duty eventually falling to Sanjeevan for a LBW decision. Warriror’s Tarun Kumar started to play a gem of innings for his 34 of 22 balls before he was caught by substitute Tshering Rigden off Chimi Gyeltshen as Warrior’s hopes were shattered with his wicket. Sanjeevan Rai went on to claim two more wickets to his tally as Warrior’s fell short of 13 runs to hand over SKD All Stars their fifth win of the tournament. Sanjeevan was declared the player of the match for his economy and three wickets.