Bhutan Cricket History : Part V

Continuation Series of Bhutan Cricket Part 1, Part 2 , Part 3 and Part 4.

The Board with the help of Asian cricket Council brought new Synthetic pitch which is most ideal in the cold weather condition of Bhutan during winter and summer. Towards the end of September, the first synthetic wicket was laid in Changlimithang cricket ground. The synthetic wicket gave the cricketer a feel like of the turf pitch where the ball bounce and seam for the fast bowler, Batsmen are more secure of playing a good shot and appreciating. The wicket gave more and confidence to the players.

With the fall of winter in another one months, Bhutan Cricket with the help of Executive Board Member Christopher Faris who has been a volunteer for the UN got in contact with Guild Cricket Club from Australia which was touring India during that time. The President, His Excellency Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk sent an invitation to Guild Cricket Club to Bhutan to play friendly one day international match against Thimphu Based cricket. The Guild Accepted the Invitation gladly and tour Bhutan in October 30th, The Match was to be played in the Changlimithang Stadium, preparation of the ground had been done and the match was played on the Coir Matting.

1st November, Guild Cricket Club and Thimphu X1 played what was supposed to be the 1st international Home Cricket Match for the Bhutan. Although Thimphu 11 lost the match by 35 runs after Guild Made 134 runs in 40 over. The Bhutanese Cricket Players and people were fortunate to have Former Indian Physiotherapist Andrew Kokinos, indeed he made 40 runs in the match. Although the spectators were scare during that time, a lot of talks were all around with Bhutan Broadcasting Corporation and Kuensel, the Bhutan National Newspaper..... "Read More"

During that time, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, the Fifth King of Bhutan the then was appointed as Chotse Penlop of Trongsa to timely Name the Memorable One Day tournament cup as Chotse Penlop Cup.

The warm autumn seasons fades away when December months starts, school are kept close for winter holiday after National Day ( i.e 17th December). The cricket season starts in the cold weather condition and coaching thus began in Thimphu, Phuntsholing and Gelephu. The usual development session attract a large number of kids and Thimphu Cricket Ground would be full of cricketer.

The Year 2005.

Bhutan Cricket prepared for the Emerging Nation Trophy to be held in Bangkok in February 2005. Training had been really tough in cold weather condition, the players find hard to catch the ball in chilly weather, as cricket is not an easy game and you gota take the challenge and Bhutanese Cricketer knows the best when it comes to dealing in cold and snowy weather condition.

Bhutan National cricket team left a week before the Tournament dates to Bangkok to play few Practice match and acclimatize with the weather condition. Bhutan National team played friendly match against Southerner’s cricket Club, a Bangkok Based cricket Club which was formed by Australian Expertise who were working in Thailand.

Bhutan Against Thailand in The Emerging Nation Tournament in Bangkok, Thailand (2005)

Bhutan then played in the 3rd Emerging Nation Tournament where 4 teams participate, Maldives, Bhutan, Brunei and Host Thailand. Bhutan couldn’t perform well and lost to Maldives and Thailand in the league Match, Their Only win came against Brunei where Skipper Damber Singh Gurung scored 59 runs and Bagged Man of the Match award. Bhutan and Thailand Match was drawn into umpire controversy where Bhutanese Players were given bad decision which turned the match into Thailand favor, Bhutan Wicket Keeper Batsmen Sanjog Chhetri was the hero for the day, his inning of 69 runs which is highest individual run scored by a Bhutanese Cricketer nearly steered Bhutan to Final before umpire bad decision to send non striker back to pavilion.

Tandin Wangchuk Became first bowler to take five wickets haul for Bhutan in International Match.Had there been a good umpire, Bhutan would have been in the final. Cricket as such is a game where everyone makes mistake and learn from it.

The Final match saw Maldvies trumpet against Thailand and lift the Emerging Nation Trophy, and made history in the Maldivian’s sport when they became the first team to bring home the trophy from International tournament, Maldives Captain Moosa Kalem was named man of the series for his all round performance both with bat and ball. They were given a red Carpet reception back in Male international Airport where President Abdual Gyaom himself welcomed the Hero’s, there had been a huge celebration, a moment that the cricketer would cherish for long time.

To Be Continued......

The Chotse Penlop Cup (Bhutan Vs Guild Cricket Club)

The Scoreboard used in Thimphu Played Between Bhutan and Guild Cricket Club