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Saudi Arabia played some surging, dynamic cricket to win the 2008 ACC U-19 Challenge Cup. They beat Bhutan by 59 runs at the Prem Oval. It was Saudi Arabia’s first ever international tournament victory.

On a wicket packed with runs, there was just a possibility that Bhutan could have beaten Saudi Arabia; batting first Saudi were reduced to 109 for 4 after 29 overs with their captain and premier batsman, Mohammed back in the tent, run out for 22 going full-tilt for a single to break the hold which the Bhutan spinners had on his team. The game could have gone either way then. (more…)

Bhutan Dilip Subba

An absolutely gripping match, watched by a significant number of Chiang Mai’s cricket fans saw Bhutan beat Maldives by six runs to clinch a place in the ACC U-19 Challenge Cup Final. “It was a shame either side had to lose,” said ACC Development Officer Roger Binny, “both teams played some top-quality cricket.”

The game was in the balance until the very end and it wasn’t until Dilip Subba beat the forward lunge of Ismail Zaahy with just nine deliveries remaining, was the game decided. Until then, thanks to some wonderfully composed strokeplay from the Maldives all-rounder Husham Ibrahim, the game looked like it could was going the other way. (more…)

Saudi Arabia played some dashing cricket to absolutely hammer Bhutan in the ACC U-19 Challenge top of the table clash at the Prem Oval, winning by 6 wickets with 21 overs to spare.

“The boys were good in all departments,” said their coach, former Pakistan batsman Mansoor Akhtar, “especially fielding which makes me very happy. Fielding is very important.”

Mansoor Akhtar only met his team for the first time in Chiang Mai, but he’s impressed by what he’s seen and the team really do look like potential Challenge Cup winners. And they’re loving playing on grass, particularly the Prem Oval surface. “We play all our cricket on concrete,” said Saudi fast-bowler Sufyan, “with mud outfields so we’re very happy to play here. We have been enjoying sliding on the grass for the first time.”
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When the Maldives were good they were very, very good, when they were bad they were very, very bad. Against Bhutan at the Prem Oval their good qualities – dynamic batting, aggressive bowling, sharp fielding – prevailed and they ran out winners by 21 runs.

Bhutan had their chances, many of them, but just couldn’t close out the match. Bowling their overs a little slowly cost them dearly too, as chasing Maldives’s 245, they only had 48 overs in which to do so.

A 128-run-partnership for the opening wicket between Maldives’s captain Ahmed Hassan (76 off 111) and Jilwaz Rasheed (51 off 77) set up the Maldives but Bhutan dropped them both early on in their innings. Seven chances were missed in all and delaying the introduction of the spinners (as well as the 33 wides) not only allowed the batsmen to settle and play their shots with impunity on a hard, true surface but slowed down the over rate considerably. In-depth research by the ACC match referees has shown that regarding wides, dropped catches, lack of spin bowlers – the teams which overcome two of these handicaps tend to win. (more…)

Al-Jazeera sent a crew from Qatar to cover China’s latest international match, and even though China took a beating, Al-Jazeera left with footage that impressed them. China have come a long way in a short time, the best comparison one can make is to point to someone learning Chinese after six months. They won’t win at Mandarin Scrabble against anyone who’s been immersed in the language for longer.

Bhutan are a good team. Led by their captain Jigme Singye, Bhutan beat China by 160 runs in the ACC U-19 Challenge Cup opener at the Prem Oval. Bhutan took advantage of a super batting track to post 280 for 3 off their 50 overs.

In spite of conceding such a big score, China bowled and fielded well. They made the batsmen work for their runs and the fact that only 96 of Bhutan’s 280 came in boundaries, on a blisteringly fast outfield, showed that Bhutan’s batsmen had to run plenty. Left-arm seamer Chen Xi Dong was the pick of the bowlers, ably backed up by Du Jinlong, “an excellent one-day bowler”, his coach Rashid Khan says with pride. (more…)

The Asian cricket Council Under -19 Challenge Cup 2008 which will be held in Chaing Mai, Thailand in January 2008, Six Team will be Participating which are Bhutan, China, Maldives, Iran and Saudi Arabia. Check out the Match Schedule and Venues.

January 12 China v Maldives at Prem Oval
Iran v Saudi Arabia at Gymkhana

January 13 Bhutan v Iran at Prem Oval
Maldives v Saudi Arabia at Gymkhana

January 14 Bhutan v China at Prem Oval

January 15 China v Iran at Gymkhana

January 16 Bhutan v Saudi Arabia at Prem Oval
Iran v Maldives at Gymkhana

January 17 China v Saudi Arabia at Prem Oval
Bhutan v Maldives at Gymkhana

January 19 Final at Prem Oval
3rd and 4th Playoff at Gymkhana

Bhutan will take part in the Asian Cricket Council Under-15 Challenge Cup to be held in Bangkok in December 2007.

Bhutan has confirm it’s participation in the tournament though it has qualify to play in the Elite Cup, when Bhutan Cricket Withdraw with the School exam begins in the November and there are hardly any chance of players available to play in the Elite Cup. “But we will compete in the ACC Under-15 Challenge Tournament which will be held in December, in Thailand” Said Damber Singh Gurung, Under -15 Coach. The Tournament will commence from 8 December and will end on 16 December. 8 Nation will participate in the Tournament, Bhutan China, Maldives, Brunei, Myanmar, Iran, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
The Preparation Camp has already started in the Thimphu where the Boys are Given Training in Morning and evening after the school hours. One or two Players will be selected from the other Districts where local coaches are sent to prepare for the players, Said Damber Singh Gurung.

In Meanwhile, Under-19 Coaching Camp has also underway as Bhutan Prepares for the Up Coming Under-19 ACC Challenge Cup to be held in Thailand in 2008. The Tournament begins on 11th January and Ends on 19th January 2008. The Participants Nations are Bhutan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Maldives, Iran, Brunei, Bhutan, China and Myanmar. Bhutan Cricket is prepared for a Tough Game and is really looking forward to make a Big Impression in the Tournament with Players Literally Prepared and focus on the Tournament. “We have a chance of Making to the Final” Said Tandin Wangchuk. With Neighboring Country India Winning the World Twenty20 World Cup a Week before, Bhutanese players are determined to mark and impression.

Bhutan Cricket coaching department were all focused for the Upcoming Under-19 ACC Challenge Cup to be held on 11-19 January 2008. The coaching were done on alternative basic with a day session in the ground and a day in the Gym to increase the fitness level of the Young boys.

The Probable boys from the Thimphu Schools were taught both batting, bowling and fielding on week days and plays practice matches on saturday and sunday against the mixed team from Thimphu Clubs. The likes of Druk11 and Bhutan Telecom Club.

Bhutan Cricket are really looking forward into the U-19 ACC Challenge Cup where Bhutan would be competing against Oman, Saudi Arabia, Maldives, Iran, Brunei, China and Myanmar.