Lotus Cup 2026
Bhutan Advances to Lotus Cup Final Following Strong Performance
Bhutan produced a commanding all-round performance to defeat Malaysia by 8 wickets in Match 7 of the Lotus Cup 2026, sealing their place in the tournament final and underlining their growing authority in the competition. The win was a textbook example of control cricket, built on disciplined bowling, sharp field placements, and a composed run chase that left little room for error.
Opting to bowl first, Bhutan struck the right balance between attacking intent and defensive discipline. The opening spell set the tone, with tight lines, a probing length, and clever use of variations preventing Malaysia from accessing boundaries during the powerplay. Wickets at regular intervals disrupted any attempt to build partnerships, forcing Malaysia into consolidation mode from early on.
Sonam Sonam was the standout with the ball, exploiting the surface superbly to finish with a three-wicket haul, repeatedly hitting the hard length and extracting just enough movement to trouble the batters. Her strikes through the middle overs broke the spine of the Malaysian innings and ensured there was no platform for a late surge. For her match-winning performance, Sonam was rightly named Player of the Match, a well-deserved recognition for her impact in turning the game in Bhutan’s favour.
She was ably supported by Riya Pradhan, who bowled with impressive accuracy and control to return figures of 2 for 7, consistently attacking the stumps and forcing batters into mistakes. At the other end, Anju Gurung played the enforcer’s role, delivering an ultra-economical spell that included a maiden over, conceding just six runs in four overs and building sustained pressure that translated into wickets at the opposite end. Backed by alert fielding and sharp catching, Bhutan restricted Malaysia to 81 for 7 in 20 overs, with Winifred Anne Duraisingam (20) and Irdina Beh Nabil (16)* offering brief resistance but finding little support from the rest of the lineup.
In reply, Bhutan’s chase was marked by clarity of approach and excellent game awareness. After the early loss of a wicket, Ngawang Choden and Tshering Zangmo absorbed pressure, rotated strike efficiently, and ensured the required run rate never climbed. Ngawang played the anchor role to perfection, compiling a composed 35 off 34 balls*, selecting low-risk options and punishing anything loose. Her ability to manipulate the field and keep the scoreboard moving prevented Malaysia from building dot-ball pressure.
Tshering Zangmo, batting with freedom at the other end, provided the attacking impetus. Her fluent 35 off 29 deliveries*, laced with six boundaries, shifted momentum decisively in Bhutan’s favour. She targeted the gaps, used the pace of the ball smartly, and accelerated at the right moments, effectively shutting the door on any hopes of a comeback. The unbroken partnership reflected excellent running between the wickets and strong communication, as Bhutan cruised to victory with 8 wickets in hand.
The result marked Bhutan’s third consecutive win over Malaysia, highlighting their tactical maturity and growing consistency in T20 cricket. It also confirmed Bhutan’s place in the final of the Lotus Cup 2026, where they will face unbeaten Hong Kong, China on 29 January. With their bowling unit operating in sync, batters showing composure in chases, and momentum firmly on their side, Bhutan head into the final well-prepared for a high-intensity contest against the tournament’s benchmark side.