Punakha men’s team has won this year’s District Cricket Championship. They defeated Thimphu in the final played at the Gelegphu Higher Secondary School ground today.
The day started off in a positive fashion for the eventual champions as they won the toss elected to bat first. Opening pair of Kencho Norbu and Pema Norbu Sherpa took Punakha past the 50 run mark. Kencho was eventually dismissed for 32 runs.
Thimphu bowlers gained some momentum after removing Sherpa for 38 runs. Wickets fell at regular interval but Punakha batsmen held on and put on a target of 206 runs. Team captain Dorji Khandu top scored with 41 runs.
Thimphu’s bowlers performed their duty in restricting Punakha to a low score.
Chasing 206 on any given day would be easy for a Thimphu side with strong batting lineup. However, Thimphu lost two early wickets, which put them on the back foot. While Sanjeevan hung on at the other end, wickets kept on falling now and then.
Thimphu was ultimately bowled out for 128 runs, handing Punakha a 77-run victory and the championship title.
The District Cricket Championship was organised by the Bhutan Cricket Council with support from the International Cricket Council, India Bhutan Foundation, Bhutan Olympic Committee, and the Gelegphu Thromde.