Bhutan lost to Thailand in the second match of the Asian Cricket Council Men’s Eastern Region Cup today. In a match where Bhutanese bowlers put on a good show, batters faltered under pressure, conceding a 44 runs defeat.
After a convincing victory over China yesterday, a win against Thailand would have taken Bhutan straight into Sunday’s final. However, with the defeat, Bhutan now has to win its final group game against Myanmar on Saturday.
After winning the toss, Bhutan elected to field first. A decision, which was backed by the bowlers. Tobden Singye was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets in his two overs.
Suprit Pradhan and Tenzin Wangchuk also managed to get two wickets each.
Thailand’s captain, Daniel Jacobs, scored 23 runs, while Sittipong Hongsi was the other notable contributor with the bat for Thailand.
Bhutan’s impressive bowling performance saw Thailand being bowled out for 108 runs.
Batting has been the achilles heel for Bhutan in all international tournaments thus far. So was the case again in today’s match. Only Suprit Pradhan and Sanjeevan Raj Gurung managed to score in double figures.
Bhutan was bundled out for 64 runs in the 19th over.
Bhutan’s nine-wicket win against China
The Bhutanese men’s cricket team started the ACC Eastern Region Cup in style as they defeated China by a massive nine wickets yesterday. Bhutan dominated China in all areas of the match before wrapping up a convincing win.
The Bhutanese team couldn’t have asked for a better start to the tournament. China opted to bat first at the toss but apart from opening batsman, Lu Cangcang who remained not out on 35, none of the Chinese batsmen managed to score more than six runs.
China was bowled out for 73 runs in the 20th over.
Bhutan’s Thinley Jamtsho managed to pick up three wickets. Suprit Pradhan and Tandin Wangchuk chipped in with two wickets each.
In reply, Bhutan lost a wicket with the second ball of the match. Despite the early hiccup, Bhutan went on to chase down the target of 74 runs in the 11th over.
Suprit Pradhan and captain Jigme Singye’s unbeaten partnership took Bhutan over the line. Thinley Jamtsho was adjudged the player of the match for his impressive bowling figure of 3 for 14.
