Bhutan won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that paid off. Malaysia posted 98 for 8 in 20 overs. Captain Winifred Anne Duraisingam scored 26 runs, but key wickets at crucial moments kept the match balanced. The turning point came when Riya Pradhan dismissed the Malaysian captain caught and bowled, swinging momentum in Bhutan’s favor.

Bhutan is ready to put itself firmly on the international cricket map as it hosts the inaugural Lotus Cup Women’s T20I Tri-Series 2026 from 20th to 29th January at the Gelephu International Cricket Ground. For the first time, the tiny Himalayan nation will welcome top teams from Hong Kong (China) and Malaysia, turning Gelephu into a buzzing hub of cricket excitement.

The teams taking part in the Lotus Cup 2026 Women’s T20I Tri-Series met this evening in Gelephu as final preparations continued ahead of the start of the tournament.

The meeting was led by Saurabh Dhanuka, Tournament Director from Thailand, along with Ugyen Dorji, Head of Umpires, and members of the umpiring team. The organising committee was represented by Dorji Khandu.

The official trophy photographs of the Women’s T20I Lotus Cup 2026 were taken today in Gelephu, featuring the captains of Bhutan, Hong Kong (China), and Malaysia ahead of the upcoming tri-series.

The Bhutan and Hong Kong women’s cricket teams both compete in Twenty20 Internationals under the ICC’s Associate Member structure. However, the two teams are at distinct development stages in terms of international exposure, statistical performance consistency, and player resource depth.

The Lotus Cup 2026 is shaping up to be a defining moment for emerging women’s T20 cricket in Asia, with Bhutan taking the field against a more seasoned Malaysia side.

The inauguration of the Gelephu International Cricket Stadium changed something fundamental. For the first time, Bhutan cricket had a home—not just a facility, but a place where dreams could finally settle.

The inauguration of the Gelephu International Cricket Stadium changed something fundamental. For the first time, Bhutan cricket had a home—not just a facility, but a place where dreams could finally settle.

The arrival of Dav Whatmore alongside the Malaysian women’s cricket team for the Lotus Cup 2026 is a moment that quietly signals how far associate cricket in Asia has come and where it is determined to go next. When the Malaysian Cricket Association appointed the World Cup–winning coach as Director of Cricket in June last year, it was never meant to be symbolic. It was a decisive move rooted in long-term vision, one that is now beginning to show its impact on and off the field.

The Bhutan Cricket Council Board is delighted to host the inaugural “Lotus Cup – Women’s T20I Tri-Series”, scheduled to take place from 20th to 29th January 2026 at the Gelephu International Cricket Ground. This prestigious tournament will feature the national women’s teams of Bhutan, Hong Kong, China, and Malaysia.