Lotus Cup 2026
Ngawang Choden’s Home Ground Heroics Seal Bhutan’s Win in Lotus Cup 2026
Ngawang Choden has emerged as Bhutan’s most impactful wicketkeeper batter, delivering match-winning performances at a young age. At just 19 years old, she has played 34 T20Is, scoring 557 runs at a strike rate of 69.10, including two half centuries. Her recent 50 against Myanmar and a career-best 78 not out against Malaysia highlight her growing dominance at home. Behind the stumps, she has also made five catches and three stumpings, while contributing with the ball by taking 11 wickets at an economy of 4.32.
In the ongoing Lotus Cup 2026 Women’s Tri-Series, Bhutan’s young wicketkeeper batter Ngawang Choden once again proved why she is rapidly becoming one of the team’s most important players. In Bhutan’s third match of the tournament, she played a commanding unbeaten innings of 78 off 71 balls, earning her second T20I fifty — and notably, both of her half centuries have now come at home.
The Lotus Cup 2026 features Bhutan, Hong Kong China and Malaysia, with the format set as a double round robin, meaning each team will face the others twice. This was Bhutan’s third match of the series and Malaysia’s third as well. Bhutan entered the game having won the opening match of the tournament, before suffering a defeat against Hong Kong China in their second encounter. The third match against Malaysia was therefore a crucial opportunity to regain momentum, and Ngawang ensured they did just that.
Malaysia batted first and posted 113/6 in their allotted 20 overs, setting a target of 114. The Malaysian innings was built on steady partnerships and a structured approach, which kept Bhutan under pressure early on.
Bhutan’s chase started on a shaky note as they lost two early wickets and found themselves at 26/2. The match looked to be slipping away, but Ngawang Choden steadied the ship with a calm and controlled innings. She played with maturity, pacing the chase intelligently and knowing exactly when to attack and when to defend.
Her knock included 12 fours and 2 sixes, and the momentum shifted firmly in Bhutan’s favour when she struck two towering sixes in the middle overs.
Playing at home always gives me extra energy. I knew the team needed someone to stay calm and build the chase, so I focused on each ball and trusted my instincts. When the moment came, I backed myself to take the game away. This win is for the team and for everyone supporting us at the ground.
This innings not only delivered a win for Bhutan but also highlighted Ngawang’s growing confidence and comfort playing on home soil. Her ability to anchor the chase and finish strongly has now made her a true match-winner for Bhutan.
With the series still in its early stages, Bhutan will look to build on this momentum as they prepare to face Hong Kong China again, while Malaysia will need to regroup quickly to keep their campaign alive.
