Bhutan’s Senior Men’s Cricket National Team is set to compete in the Open Men’s T20 International Quadrangular Series 2026 in Thailand. It will start on the 25th of this month. Bhutan will face host Thailand, along with Bahrain and Japan, in a crucial international outing.
Ahead of the tournament, the team is currently in a full-scale training camp in Gelephu. Under Head Coach Kumar Subba, players are working on match strategies, building team combinations, and preparing to adapt to Thailand’s playing conditions.
The camp follows a series of competitive matches played against Bahrain and Myanmar, giving the players valuable international exposure.
Namgang Chojay, a player said, “It would be difficult to say whether we will win or lose, but we are ready to give strong competition. The boys are confident. We recently played against Bahrain and Myanmar, who are strong teams. We learned a lot from those matches and are looking forward to good competition in Thailand.”
Bhutanese cricket has seen significant progress in recent years. 22-year-old left-arm spinner Sonam Yeshey created history by becoming the first bowler in T20 cricket to take eight wickets in a single match. Meanwhile, 21-year-old Namgay Thinley became the first Bhutanese cricketer to score a century in T20 International cricket.
Players say these milestones reflect the sport’s steady growth in the country.
Sonam Yeshey said, “I debuted for the senior team in 2022, and since then, we have seen a lot of improvement. Earlier, we didn’t have proper grounds for international preparation. Now, with better facilities and strong management support, it’s much easier for us. We are happy to see cricket growing in Bhutan.”
Namgay Thinley said, “Before, we didn’t have proper equipment and good ground facilities. Now we have a good cricket ground in Gelephu. We see many young players taking an interest in the game. I believe cricket will continue to grow in the country.”
The growth extends to women’s cricket as well. Bhutan’s senior women’s team recently finished runners-up in the Lotus Cup held in Gelephu, defeating Malaysia three times and improving their ICC T20 International rankings.
Currently ranked 77th in the ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings, Bhutan heads into the tournament as the underdog. Their opening match will be against Bahrain, ranked 29th in the world. The team will depart for Thailand on the 23rd, ready to begin their campaign on the 25th.
While the odds may favour their higher-ranked opponents, Bhutan’s senior men are determined to put up a strong fight. With recent milestones, improved facilities, and rising talent, the team’s campaign in Thailand could mark another important chapter in Bhutan’s growing cricket journey.
Passang Dorji, Gelephu
