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 Star knocks out Paro
SKD All Stars beat Paro Bluemoon CC by five runs in a thrilling finish that led to Paro Bluemoon’s exit from the tournament of the on-going Bhutan T20 Smash 2022 held at Jigmethang cricket ground, Thimphu today. With the win SKD All Stars has booked their place in the top four that will play the knock out matches after the league round. SKD started poorly, losing skipper Jigme N Dorji who was bowled off the first ball to Sonam Tobgay. Sonam Tobgay went on to bowl out Khendrup Jangchub to claim his second wicket at a score of 23 after the third over. SKD All Stars lost their third wicket Yowon Pradhan as he was retired hurt. Paro skipper Nabin Chhetri added the extra pressure from one side of the wicket as he kept troubling the batsman with his wicket to wicket directed ball. Nabin claimed the likes of Sanjeevan Raj, Jigme Wangchuk, Sherub Jamtsho ending his four overs giving only 20 runs. Paro’s left arm pacer Pema bundled the tailenders closing the SKD innings for 120 for the loss of nine wickets. Paro’s hope of overcoming the required chase was dashed as they lost their main man Sonam Tobgay in a mis-communication leading to a run-out without him facing a ball. Paro’s half centurion from the previous match Kishen Ghalley also failed to make any impact as he was bowled by Tashi Chophel in the third over. Batting at the centre Chamling Rai and Sanjit Biswa brought some resistance as the two added 24 for the third wicket before losing Chamling Rai caught at deep cover in the 7th over to medium pacer Tandin Wangdi and caught by Jigme Wangchuk. Bowling from the other end, off-spinner Sherub Jamtsho troubled the batsman with his spin variations that fetched him three wickets. It was a one man show for the Paro Bluemoon as Sanjit Biswa on the other hand went on to score a half century. Sanjit kept the score ticking with occasional boundaries. Sanjit Biswa kept the hunt as the Paro Bluemoon found themselves needing 11 runs off the last over. SKD All Stars opted for their most experienced senior player Sanjeevan Rai to bowl the last over and SKD All Stars needing a wicket to close the match. SKD’s decision of giving the ball to Sanjeevan proved a match winner as the SKD gave only five runs in the last over winning by five runs. Tandin Wangdi was declared player of the match for his three wickets and 15 runs scored from the bat.
Kishen’s half century in vain as Warriors beat Paro
Paro Bluemoon’s Kishen Ghalley scored his maiden half century and first in the tournament but all in vain as his team went down to True Warrior’s by five runs in the ongoing Bhutan T20 Smash 2022. True Warrior’s narrow victory over Paro Bluemoon CC has kept their hopes alive for the top two spots. In the first innings, Warrior’s opener Kinga Loday scored the highest individual score of 45 runs of 44 balls to help his team post 130 for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs. Tarun Kumar came up with other noticeable score of 21 of 16 balls. Paro Bluemoon fast bowler Pema Wangchuk and Nabin Chettri were the pick of the bowlers with two wickets. Paro lost both their openers within the first two overs but it was wicket-keeper batsman Kishen Ghalley who churned the innings with 56 of 54 balls before getting bowled out in the 18th over off Kezang Nima during a critical moment of the game that saw True Warriors snatch a narrow win over the Paro Bluemoon. Hritesh Barman (17 of 20 balls) and Pema Wangchuk (17 of 9 balls) came up with other notable scores. True Warrior’s Kesang Nima was declared the man of the match.
Sajibul powers Gladiators to their second win
Leading the current stand for the highest run getter and player of the tournament table point, Druk Gladiator’s Sajibul Mai powers his team to a 5 wicket over the Paro Bluemoon Club to take them to the second position of the on-going Bhutan T20 Smash 2022 at Jigmethang cricket ground, Thimphu. Paro Bluemoon opener Tulsi Biswa and Sanjit Biswa started steadily scoring 39 runs opening partnership from six overs before Tulsi fell to Deepak Verma caught at slip by Sajibul Mai. Wicket-keeper batsman Kishen was sent back two overs later in a mix-up that caused him a run-out. New batsman Gem Tshering was stumped the first ball in the ninth over. Paro Bluemoon remaining batsman struggled as Sajibul Mai and Sahidul Islam kept troubling them ultimately completing the first innings at 137 for the loss of nine wickets from 20 overs. Druk Gladiators opener Vijay Sagar played the anchoring job for the team as he went on to score 47 of 47 balls before he was caught out by Pema Wangchuk of Sonam Tobgay’s bowling in the 17th over. Paro Bluemoon managed to get the wickets of Deepak Verma, Saha Alom and Aryan Verma but Sajibul Mai (44 of 24 balls) punished the drop catch errors from the Paro fielders as they went on to win the match by five wickets. Sajibul Mai was declared the Player of the match.