Thimphu XI Wins the Last Shangri-la Cup
The Last Shangrila Cup 2007 final saw Thimphu XI Vs Assam XI as they fight for the Cup, It was the day of bowler as the prevailing weather condition yesterday gave them the much help with ball moving after pitching. The pitch had a good amount of moisture in the early start of the innings that suited the fast bowler. Assam XI Skipper lucky at this time with toss elected to bat first, he opend the inning along with Lutu Raj, Parmeswar the man in form after a century and a half century against the Sarpang XI in the league match couldn’t shine this time again with the Thimphu XI as Dilip Kumar Subba bowled him out for duck, Dilip who has been the peak of the bowler and the Man of the Match with 5 crucial wicket. Hadungwia Brahma was promoted up the order to face the new ball and his entry was welcome by Dilip Kumar Subba when he gave no rooms to play and at other end Tandin Wangchuk has been expensive conceding six runs of his first over.
Lutu Raj and Hadungwia played the new ball defending it and taking single as boundary has been hard to come from the ball of the Thimphu XI opening Bowler, Lutu Raj soon departed after a simple catch by Tandin Wangchuk in the first slip of the Tandin Wanghcuk B bowling, rain interrupted the match for about 30 minutes as the covers was called on by the two umpires. When played resumed. Amar Reaizary then walk in to take the charge on as he hit beautiful cover drive and a huge six of Tandin Wangchuk, his timing has been the hallmark as he danced down the pitch hiting off spinner Tandin Wangchuk two sixes of the same over to take the score to 50 runs, he composed his innings with full flare as he attack on the bowler giving away extras.
Skipper Jigme Singye then introduced his paceman Thinley Jamtsho from school end but Ama Reaizary continued the onslaught as he hit yet another six of his bowling, Reaizary was just 5 runs short of a well deserved half century when a diving full length catch my Thimphu XI wicket keeper Manoj Adhikari silence the Assam XI dressing room. Thimphu XI player Surrounded Thinley Jamtsho for the prize wicket. Dilip Kumar Subba was brough into the attack from the town end as he ripped with fast short pitch and Yorker to grab two wicket in two balls and on hattrickt the next ball, he was denied by Herijot, Dilip did all the damage in the bowling attack as he got his 5 wicket haul of the match clean bowled Jicki Brahma, Assam XI tail enders couldn’t contribute but with extras adding to the total, Assam XI were bowled out for 106 runs. The fielding of the Thimphu XI was superb from the beginning with a run out and a close catch.
107 runs to win with 10 wickets in hand, Thimphu XI continued with Tandin Wangchuk and Bikash Sharma Luitel, both of them gave a good start with Bikash pulling four and Tanding Wangchuk on full swing with cut and leg glance, Bikash was unlucky this time too when a direct hit from the mid off failing his a yard short of the crease. Tashi was short lived too when he was bowled by Herojit, Skipper Jigme Singye couldn’t last long when he was dropped on 2 runs playing a late cut and ball flying towards the gully region, he rotated the strike and let the Tandin Wangchuk carry the team home, Herojit fired a ball which kept low to bowled him out. Thimphu XI were in deep trouble losing three batsmen for 30 runs.
Tandin Wangchuk on other hand had his luck too when he was dropped twice, luck seems to help his way, Sonam Tobgay the left hander didn’t last long too when he was bowled out. Tandin Wangchuk took the charge himself up and keep ticking the score with Thinley Jamtsho the hard hitter of the Thimphu XI, They build a good partnership of 35 runs as both the batsmen waited for the loose deliveries from the Assam Bowler, Thinley in particularly was in punishing mood as he drove couple of boundary of high class, Tandin on other hand simply pushed for single and two’s and occasionally hit boundaries.
With 4 wicket down after a brilliant comeback from Herojit bowling with good line and length, Thimphu XI batsmen found it hard to sneak the runs from the blade, Herojit taking the wickets of Thinley Jamtsho and Sonam Tobgay, With 85 runs on the board and 22 runs required to win, Assam fought back to take yet another wicket of Monaj Adhikari the last recognized batsmen for Thimphu XI. It was the moment that Tandin Wangchuk will cherish after he and along with Thinley Tenzin Steered home to a victory which the crowd and the guest had a spectacular ending. Tandin Wangchuk fluent batting performance and patience till the winning runs showed how matured he has become after playing for so long, his class and match winning performance deserved all the applauds from his team mates as they congratulates after Thimphu XI won the match by 3 wickets and to Lift the Shangrila Cup.
Parmeshsawr was adjudged the man of the tournament for his batting performance with a fifty and a hundred against Sarpang XI. Bodoland dCultural Team presented with the classical Bodoland Dance before the Presentation Ceremony as a gesture of Bhutan India Friendship Association. The Presentation ceremony was graced by Sarpang Dzongkhag Dasho Dzongda and Khokraj Cricket Association General Secretary, prizes and certificate were awarded to all the participating team members and The tournament was a grand success for Bhutan Cricket yet again at the highest level, special thanks to Gelephu Sports Association and Bhutan India Friendship Association Secretary General for providing all the logistic and taking care of the Assam XI Team, cricket has created a vast difference in the show both in field and off field as the young youths of Bhutan displayed their Talent.
Umpires Have some Drink As Well
Bodoland Cultural Team Performs Dance
A Good Number of Crowd in Final
Dilip Kumar Subba With Man of the Match Award
The Final Match Between Thimphu XI vs Assam XI
