Bhutan Cricket - The Official Website

After a week of play in the ACC Trophy Elite held in Kuwait, although Bhutan has not won a single group match, they stood 8th position out of 10 countries and still stay in the Elite Competition of the ACC Trophy. Bhutan first match lost to Afghanistan who are in the final alongside neighboring country Nepal, UAE blasted with a massive total of 500 plus runs and bhutan were simply outplayed by Malaysia in their third match.

Bhutanese Players Congratulate Each Other for the 8th Place

In the 7th and 8th position playoff match against host Kuwait, Bhutan batted first and made their first team score of 100 runs in the competition, Bhutan were all out for 132 in 41.4 Overs, Sonam Tobgay top scoring with 48 runs and Tashi Y. Tshering contributing with 32 runs. Kuwait reached the total in 11.5 overs and winning it by 10 wickets.

Sonam Tobgay comes out after scoring 48 runs

ACC Trophy Elite is the second most prestigious Trophy after Asia Cup for the Asian Region and playing alongside top associate members of Asian is even harder when they play the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 8 in December 2010.

The ACC Trophy Elite was an good opportunity for the Bhutanese team to play against the tougher side and now should focus on the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 8. The World Cricket League structure sets the pathway for more countries to qualify for World Cup 2015.

Kuwait and Bhutanese Players shakes hand after the playoff match

7th/8th Place Bhutan V Kuwait at KEC: [KUWAIT WON BY 10 WICKETS]

Toss won by Bhutan and elected to bat first
Bhutan 132/Allout in 41.4 overs
Sonam 48, Tashi 32, Haji Javaid 3/31
Kuwait 133/0 in 11.5 overs
Hisham 38* and Khalid 83*

Bhutan in ACC Trophy Elite 2010 campaign started with a heavy defeat from the Tournament favorite Afghanistan after they were thrashed by 393 runs. Afghanistan ranked number 1 team in the Asian Cricket Council Associate Members country and recently they have gained the One Day Status and were champion of ICC T20 Qualifier when they beat Ireland.

Bhutan won the toss and elected to field first, Three Afghanistan players K. Sadiq, N. Noori, M. Asgher each scored centuries en route 471 in 50 overs. Phuntsho Wangdi bagged two wickets for Bhutan, in reply Bhutan manage only 78 runs with Kumar Subba scoring 41 runs, rest of the batsmen could’t make any significant score.

Bhutan Next Match will be Against UAE Today.

Scorecard

Thimphu: Bhutan Cricket Council Board (BCCB) today announced a 14-member squad for the ACC Trophy Elite Cup cricket tournament scheduled to be held in Kuwait from March 29 to April 9.

The squads include Damber Singh Gurung (Capt), Tshering Dorji (Vice- Capt), Kumar Subba, Tashi Y Tshering, Kencho Norbu (Wkt), Sonam Tobgay, Dorji Loday, Sanjog Chhetri, Phuntsho Wangdi, Dampo Dorji, Tandin Wangchuk, Barun Wakhley, Lakshmi P Kami, Susil S Luitel, Tobgay Wangchuk (Coach / Manager), Tshering Norbu (Physiotherapist) . The Selection camp started from the December 2009.

Bhutan are drawn in Group B alongside UAE, Afghanistan, Malaysia, Bahrain. Bhutan will be participating for the first time in the senior elite-level after they were runner’s up in the 2009 ACC Challenge Cup held in Thailand.

The Tournament will be an tough for our boys and we will be giving a good fight for other countries and hopefully this tournament would benefit our players preparation for the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 8 to be held in Kuwait in December 2010 said Jigme Norbu CEO Bhutan Cricket.

For Full Team Photo and List.. Go to Damber Singh Gurung Blog

Bhutan Match Schedule:
April 1 Bhutan v UAE at Unity
April 3 Bahrain v Bhutan at Unity
April 4 Bhutan v Malaysia at KEC
April 6 Afghanistan v Bhutan at Sulaibiya