Bhutan Cricket History Part II

After Bhutan became the member of Asian cricket Council in 2001, a year later Rumesh Ratnayake who was the Country Development Officer of the Asian Cricket Council visited Bhutan for Country Assignment, his visit was warmly greeted by Bhutan Cricket President Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk and Board Member, His visit brought light to the cricket as Asian Cricket Council began funding Bhutan Cricket Association in the head of Coaching Department, Ground Development, Cricket Equipment, Fitness Equipment, Ground Equipment.

The First recorded Domestic Cricket was played in 2001 in Thimphu where there were few clubs participating in it including Indian Embassy and IMTRAT team from Thimphu and Haa district participated as well as Hindustan Group from Gedu too.

By then Bhutan Cricket Association had constructed four concrete cricket pitch in Thimphu Cricket Ground, royal Institute of Health Science and Yangchenphu Higher Secondary School, cricket equipment, Fitness equipment were purchased off which many were distributed to various district, Institute and School.

Bhutan Cricket Presdient and Vice-President with First Two Foreign Coaches of Bhutan

Coach Osheade and Jayanta with the kids of Phuntsholing District in South

Cricket Coaching in south and Coach Osheade Demonstrate the Batting Technique

Cricket begin to grow in numbers, with the invitation from Asian Cricket Council to Participate in the Emerging Nation Trophy (ENT) to be held in Nepal in March 2003, Two Foreign Coaches from Sri Lanka, Mr Oshadee and Mr Jayanta were sent to prepare Bhutan for the first ever International tournament, Both the Coach worked very hard to bring up Senior National Team and a good opening batsmen for the Bhutan. Bhutan participate in the ENT where Nepal and Maldives were other Countries participating. The Historic Bhutan First National Team are:

Bhutan First National Cricket Team

1. Damber Singh Gururng (Captain)
2. Tshering Dorji (Vice-Capatain)
3. Tandin Wangchuk (Offie)
4. Tandin Wangchuk (Tuffy)
5. Tshering Dorji (Phama)
6. Phuntsho Wangdi
7. Tshering Tashi
8. Sanjog Chhetri
9. Manoj Adhikari
10. Bikash Sharma Luitel
11. Lobzang Yonten
12. Barun Wakhley
13. Dorji Dakpa
14. Pelyang Dorj

Bhutan were thrashed by Nepal in the opening match when they set a massive target of 300+ runs on the board and bowled out Bhutan for 44 runs. Bhutan lost to Maldives as well and was out of the Tournament, Nepal won the Cup. The Tour was a good exposure for the young Bhutanese team participating in the First international Match.

Bhutan Vs Nepal (First International Match for Bhutan Played in, Kathmandu, Nepal)

Bhutan Score read at the end of the Match Against Nepal

To Be Continued ...