Thimphu Knights beat SKD All Stars by six wickets to book a place in the finals of the ongoing Bhutan T20 Smash 2022. SKD All Stars and Thimphu Knights faced each other in the qualifier one match having ranked number one and two teams respectively after the completion of the league rounds and the winner by rule going directly to the finals. SKD All Stars had a dreadful start losing opener Tandin Penjor for a duck in the second over by Tandin Wangchuk. The other opener Khendrup Jangchub Dorji who was sent back to the pavilion as he was caught by Suprit Pradhan off Suman Pradhans bowling in the third over. SKD’s Jigme Wangchuk and Yowon Pradhan slowly started to build a partnership as the two added 44 for the third wicket before Jigme Wangchuk was run out from a lightning direct throw to the stumps by Suprit Pradhan. Suprit Pradhan followed up his fielding with wicket of Sherub Jamtsho in the next over as he was caught deep by Barun Wakhley. Yowon Pradhan on the other side was the lone batsman who made a valuable contribution of 43 runs off 28 balls before he was beaten by a “slow in air” ball bowled brilliantly by Suman Pradhan. Suprit Pradhan went on to pick his second wicket that of Sanjeevan Raj to give Knights their sixth wicket. It seemed like a comfortable score to chase down at this point for the Knight’s, before SKD All Stars skipper Jigme N Dorji walked in late to play a cameo of innings hitting 49 runs off just 21 balls which included seven boundaries and two sixers to give his team a respectable total of 157 runs. In the second innings, Thimphu Knights also had probably the worst start losing openers Tandin Wangchuk and Pasa Wangdi before the third over with only 14 runs on the scorecard. However, skipper Sanjog Chhetri and Suprit Pradhan had better intentions and execution as the two put up a team record of 113 runs partnership for the third wicket. Suprit Pradhan went on to score 71 runs off 32 balls (9x4s, 4x6s) before he was bowled in the 11th over by Jigdrel Wangchuk. Skipper Sanjog Chhetri scored valuable 35 runs off 26 balls before he was caught by Yowon Pradhan off Jigdrel Wangchuk in the 13th over. The damage was already done through the brilliant partnership before Suman Pradhan and Chirag Sharma did the ‘icing on the cake’ with 33 runs partnership with 14 balls left in the innings to give Knights an easy six wickets win and be the first team to reach the finals. The Knights will face the winner of qualifier two match which will be played between True Warriors and SKD All Stars this coming Saturday.
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.
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.
Jigdrel spin SKD to easy win over Dantak
SKD All Stars thrashed Dantak XI by 103 runs to stay on top of the table of the on-going Bhutan T20 Smash 2022. Pawan Mehta gave Dantak the best start bowling SKD All Star skipper Jigme N Dorji into the second over. Khendrup joined his skipper back in the pavilion in the next over after being caught and bowled by Vinay Singh. Dantak picked up their third as Tandin Penjor caught by keeper off Kalay as the score stood at 39. Sanjeevan (33 of 19 balls) on the other end kept the score board ticking with some stylish shots through the covers before getting sent-off for an LBW decision off Shrikant Hanamant’s bowling. Jigme Wangchuk and Sherub Jamtsho carried the momentum as the two put a partnership of 55 runs for the fifth wicket before Jigme Wangchuk (23 off 23 balls) was bowled by Pawan Mehta who had come on to bowl his second spell. Sherub Jamtsho (56 off 26) on the other hand went bizarre as he smacked six sixers as he brought up his maiden half century. Sherub was ultimately caught at deep mid-on by Vinay Singh off Shrikant Hanamant bowling who picked up three wickets. SKD’s tailender Chhimi Gyeltshen quick fired 20 of nine balls as SKD All Stars put up a mammoth 211 for Dantak to chase. Dantak opener Pawan Mehta seemed to have come with an attacking sense as he went after the SKD bowlers early on. Pawan Mehta quick fired 35 off 13 balls ultimately falling to Tashi Chophel caught behind by keeper Jigme Wangchuk. Pawan Kumar and William Rana kept the Dantak in the game as the two added 40 for the second wicket before Pawan Kumar was stumped off Jigdrel Wangchuk’s left arm spin. Jigdrel went on to bowl William Rana two balls later to claim his second victim. Dantak batsman had no answers to Jigdrel’s left arm orthodox spin as he went to claim Vinay Singh and Rakesh Dhiman in the same over as he picked his number four. SKD young medium pacer Chhimi Wangchuk kept the same pressure with some tight line and length bowling as he picked up four of the Dantak tailenders to restrict Dantak to 106 for nine. Chhimi had a figure of 4/10 from two overs. Jigdrel finished off with a fifer (5/9) as he became the first to claim five wickets in the tournament and lead SKD to 103 runs win. Jigdrel was declared the player of the match for his outstanding spell of bowling.
Druk Gladiator’s topple SKD All Stars as table topper
Druk Gladiator’s Saha Alom hit an unbeaten 88 off 57 balls to outthrow SKD All Stars as table topper of the on-going Bhutan T20 Smash 2022. SKD All Star opener Jigme N Dorji (39 from 36 balls) and Khendrup Jangchub (43 off 19 balls) went bizarre after choosing to bat first putting up 76 runs opening partnership off 35 balls. Tandin Penjor compiled a composed 40 of 43 balls as SKD put up 180 target for the Gladiators. Druk Gladiator’s seemed to have planned an aggressive approach as openers Saha Alom (88 of 57 balls) and Aryan Verma (41 of 35 balls) went after the SKD bowlers bringing up the first century (108 runs) opening partnership of the tournament. Tashi Chophel was the pick of the bowlers with figures of one for 10 runs from 4 overs as rest of the bowlers struggled to restrict the momentum of the Gladiator’s firework. Saha Alom’s bizarre innings included seven 4s and five 6s as his unbeaten 88 takes his team to the top of the table and also earning him the player of the match.
SKD All Stars down Radaps to take top spot
SKD All Stars oust Wangdue Radaps by 49 runs today at Jigmethang cricket ground, Thimphu to lead the points table of the ongoing Bhutan T20 Smash. Wangdue Radap’s were to blame themselves for the loss having restricted SKD All Stars earlier to chasable 137 all out in 20 overs. Wangdue Radap started brilliantly getting rid of SKD’s skipper Jigme N Dorji in the second over by a beauty of delivery from Kencho Chophel. Jigme’s opening partner Sanjeevan Rai didn’t last long as he was sent off by a beauty of a delivery from Wangdue’s pace sensation Pema Loday in the fifth over. It only took a delivery as new man Tshering Rigden was bowled out the very next ball by Pema Loday. The pace duo of Pema Loday and Kencho Chophel kept troubling the SKD batsmen with consistent line and length during which Kencho Chophel went on to get Tandin Wangdi caught at slips by Pema Dorji in the sixth over. Khendrup Jangchub (24 of 11 balls) and Tandin Penjor (22 of 27 balls) played a sensible innings adding 38 for the fifth wicket before Tandin Penjor was run out credit to a direct hit on the stumps from Ram Kumar Rai. SKD’S Jigme Wangchuk (33 of 29 balls) and Yowon Pradhan (29 of 22 balls) started to rebuilt the innings with some sensible batting playing mostly on the ground and getting the occasional boundary as the two went on to add 55 runs for the seventh wicket partnership before Wangdue’s quick Deki Phuntsho caused havoc through the SKD remaining batsmen and picking up the first hattrick of the tournament in Jigme Wangchuk, Yowon Pradhan and Bishal Ghalley in the seventh over. Pema Loday bowled Tashi Chophel in the 19th over to give Radaps 138 runs to chase. The second innings was all about SKD All Star as the Wangdue Radaps struggled to find any answers to SKD’s young pace attack. Radap’s skipper Ram Chandra Mongar was send back in the first over, caught by Sanjeevan in the slips off Tashi Chophel. Next batsman Tsheltrim Yoezer joined the skipper back in pavilion as he was bowled out with brilliant delivery from Tashi Chophel. Sangay Tenzin (19 runs) and Deki Phuntsho (13 runs) were the only notable run getters as rest of the batsman failed to score in double digits. Wangdue Radap’s were wrapped up for 88 as SKD All star win by 49 and take the top spot on the points table. SKD All Star pace sensation Tashi Chophel was named the player of the match.
True Warriors win a thriller
True Warriors registered their first win of the Bhutan T20 Smash 2022 edging pass Dantak by a narrow 3 runs and march forward in the tournament. Having lost their opening match to Druk Gladiators in the previously week True Warriors had to win to keep their hopes alive for the top two spot. It wasn’t the best start that True Warriors would have wanted losing Soenam Jamtsho to the third delivery of the first over to Vinay Singh. Sanjay Pradhan and Kinga Loday started to build the innings putting up 41 runs between them before Sanjay was bowled by Bhagat Singh. Kinga Loday looked good for his 41 of 32 balls before Pawan Mehta bowled him in the 12 over as the total score stood at 98 runs. Dantak’s speedster Vinay Singh came back for his second spell and got the better of Kelzang Nima who returned to the pavilion without troubling the score much. True Warrior’s Manish Giri on the other hand started to open up and play some blistering shots supported by Tarun Kumar from the other side. Manish Giri went on to score his first half century (61 of 31 balls) as True Warriors set a massive 188 runs target. Dantak’s Vinay Singh ended with best figure of 4 for 24 from his 4 overs. Dantak opening batsman Pawan Mehta looked in some mood as he started to hit some aggressive shots early on. Dantak lost their first wicket Pawan Kumar in the fourth over at the score of 36. It didn’t take long for Warrior’s as they picked up Bhagat Singh in the next over. Warrior’s medium pacer Pema Dorji got the better of Pawan Mehta bowling him out for 44 of 24 balls in the ninth over. Pema was the pick of the bowlers for the Warrior’s with figure of 1 for 14 from 4 overs. At this juncture of the game, Warriors were all over Dantak, however, William Rana and Vinay Singh had other plans as the two started to look comfortable and punish the Warrior’s fielding errors adding 67 runs fifth wicket partnership. Rana went on to score his maiden half century (66 of 51 balls) The game stood at 13 runs required of the last over. Warrior’s speedster Yueyong Phuntsho started nervously bowling a wide first ball before trapping Vinay Singh leg before wicket the next ball. Next bastman Rakesh Dhiman managed to squeeze a single from the next ball bringing Rana on strike. Set batsman Rana flicked the ball towards deep square to take Dantak to a one hit distance before Yueyong Phuntsho managed to run-out Rakesh Dhiman the next delivery that caused Rana to the non-striker end leaving the new man on strike. Dantak required five of the last ball which Yueyong managed to ball for a dot ball run-out giving True Warrior’s their first win. Manish Giri was declared the Player of the Match for his blistering batting performance.