India Enter into Semi Final After beating Host South Africa In ICC World Twenty20 Cup

Durban: Rudra Pratap Singh extended a tradition of an Indian left-arm fastmedium bowler making a stunning impact in a big game at the Kingsmead Cricket Ground as Team India came up with a high-octane performance for the second night running to breeze into a semifinal date with Australia in the ICC World Twenty20 with a superb – run victory over South Africa.

For the second night running, India was able to channelise its emotions and etch a stunning victory as it raced to the top of Group E and pushed the home side out of the tournament, carrying New Zealand into the semifinals after a triple tie. There was an enormous display of self-belief as India readied itself for a clash with Australia on Saturday.

From a dismal 61 for four in the 11th over, India finished with a fighting 153 for five in 20 overs. It rallied through an 85-run partnership between a creative Rohit Sharma (50 not out, 40 balls, seven fours, two sixes) and a steady Mahendra Singh Dhoni (45, 33 balls, four four, one six). It still left the team with a much work to do when defending the score.

Led by RP Singh, the bowlers and fielders did a terrific job of that. If RP Singh finished with four for 13 in four overs, Sreesanth and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh grabbed two wickets each while Irfan Pathan was at his economical best and Joginder Sharma filled his role as the fourth seamer adequately.

Four years ago, Ashish Nehra had demolished England in an ICC World Cup game here with a fine exhibition of swing bowling at Kingsmead. He had finished with figures of six for 23 in his 10 overs. Tonight, it was 21-year-old RP Singh's turn to leave his imprint on the ground as he finished with four for 13 in his four overs.

India turned out some attacking fielding in support of the bowlers. It almost as if they were paying a tribute to the side's best fielder, Yuvraj Singh who was out of the game with a sore elbow. Karthik's catch at second slip to dismiss Graeme Smith was a stunner, flying to his left to get both his hands to the ball that was screaming past him.

Not long after, Rohit Sharma's fielding skills came to the fore. And it fetched him the man of the match award. Mark Boucher played RP Singh to the off side and set off for a single. The young Indian charged from his position on the 30-yard circle at cover, swooped on the ball and flicked it on to the stumps, catching the dangerous Justin Kemp short of his crease.

South Africa lost its way under the pressure that India mounted on it. And it was a pity that Shaun Pollock's efforts with the new ball earlier in the day went waste.He does not need much more to inspire him than a new white ball, a lively pitch and lights at his home turf, the Kingsmead Cricket Ground. The Indian cricketers have known this for a while but were served a reminder in a four-over spell.
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Pakinstan Wins Over Bangaladesh in Tense Moment

Cape Town: Cape Town: There were some nervous moments for Pakistan but they managed to keep their Super 8 slate clean by beating Bangladesh by four wickets at the Newlands cricket ground here on Thursday. Pakistan had already qualified for the semi-final stage of the ICC World Twenty20 Championship.

Chasing a small target of 141 runs, Pakistan made a bit of a heavy weather of the chase, losing wickets at regular intervals but in the end, Imran Nazir and Kamran Akmal did the finishing job with one over to spare.

Pakistan tried out a new opening combination on Thursday, getting Shahid Afridi to open with Nazir. While Afridi was reasonably successful, smashing 39 off just 15 balls with five fours and two sixes, Nazir had to retire hurt after just three balls. Nazir did come back after the fall of the fifth wicket and was unbeaten on 27.

For Bangladesh left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak was the best bowler on the park, taking two wickets for 16 runs in his four overs. Left-arm spinner Shakib al Hasan was steady, bowling his four overs for just 17 runs.

Mahmudullah bowled well for Bangladesh as well, taking one for 28 in his four overs.

Mohammed Hafeez and skipper Shoaib Malik made 23 and 21 respectively while Salman Butt, batting at number three, made 20 off 27 balls.

Earlier, Bangladesh lasted 19.4 overs thanks to opener Zunaed Siddique. After being asked to go in first, Bangladesh were bowled out for 140 runs.

The target for Pakistan was quite small but but it was refreshing to see a mature response from Bangladesh.

Most of the Bangladesh batters tried to take only the boom-boom route but Siddique, who made 71 runs off just 49 balls with six fours and three huge sixes, adopted a refreshingly different approach.

One could clearly see that he was trying to achieve the balance between attack and defense, which is the key to success in this format of the game. He was willing to stay at the wicket and defy the bowlers, which made all the difference.
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Pakistan Bowler restrict Bangladesh to 140 Runs

Cape Town: Bangladesh lasted 19.4 overs in their Super 8 clash against Pakistan at the Newlands cricket ground here on Thursday, and opener Zunaed Siddique was solely responsible for that. After being asked to go in first, Bangladesh were bowled out for 140 runs.

Pakistan will undoubtedly have the edge chasing a small target but it was refreshing to see a mature response from a Bangladesh batsman.

Most of the Bangladesh batters tried to take only the boom-boom route but Siddique, who made 71 runs off just 49 balls with six fours and three huge sixes, adopted a refreshingly different approach.

One could clearly see that he was trying to achieve the balance between attack and defense, which is the key to success in this format of the game. He was willing to stay at the wicket and defy the bowlers, which made all the difference.

While there were the usual big hits for sixes and fours, Siddique was a revelation as he did not ignore the ones and the twos. The next best came from Aftab Ahmed, who made 15.

To a large extent, Pakistan bowlers were clinical in their job. Barring Siddique, none of the Bangladesh batters were able to stand up to them. Mohammed Hafeez and skipper Shoaib Malik took two wickets each, while seamers Muhammed Asif, Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul claimed one wicket each.

There were as many as three run outs in the Bangladesh innings.

Bangladesh
Tamim Iqbal, Aftab Ahmed, Mohammad Ashraful (Captain), Shakib Al Hasan, Nadif Chowdhury, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mashrafe Mortaza, Syed Rasel, Abdur Razzak, Zunaed Siddique

Pakistan
Salman Butt, Imran Nazir, Younus Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik (Captain), Shahid Afridi, Misbah-ul-Haq, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Asif, Umar Gul, Sohail Tanvir

Officials
Mike Procter (match referee)
Ian Howell and Tony Hill
Asad Rauf (third)
Marais Erasmus (fourth)
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India-South Africa gears up for another intense contest

Durban: South Africa and India may have won intense games against New Zealand and England respectively on Wednesday but their ability to channelise emotions will be on test again when they come square up in the final group E game in the ICC World Twenty20 tournament at Kingsmed Cricket Ground on Thursday night.

More than the home side, India will be challenged to overcome the heady feeling of thumping England by 19 runs. India needs to keep its wits about itself and secure a victory over South Africa to guarantee itself a semifinal place, the margin determining whether it tops the table or finishes second. A South Africa win take New Zealand along to the semis and send India home.

The Indians, on a high last night after beating England comfortably, know that their task is cut out against South Africa's bowlers. The home side is well aware of the local conditions as it showed when stifling New Zealand after the Black Caps were off to a great start on Wednesday.

With the Indian bowlers being just a shade above adequate, the onus will be on the batters to deliver again if the team is to extend its stay in South Africa. Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir have batted really well in the last two games and Yuvraj showed his ominous touch in making a 12-ball 50.

Of the others, Robin Uthappa had one good knock against Pakistan while skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni knows that he has to lift the bar for himself and his team when gets to bat against South Africa which has a clutch of fastmedium bowlers who have all the ability to hit the deck and exploit the bounce that the Kingsmead pitch has offered the bowlers.

If Dhoni has not landed the big hits so far, South African captain Graeme Smith is also due a big score and, with his Nemesis Zaheer Khan missing from the Indian ranks, may breathe easy in his quest for that elusive knock. The Indian bowlers will be well aware of the big hitting Justin Kemp's skill in this format as also those of Herschelle Gibbs and Mark Boucher.

South Africa's allround superiority – and better fielding – will make it the favourite going into the match but the Indians know that they are within hailing distance of a semifinal place and can be expected to give the more experienced home side a run for its money. The good thing is that Dhoni has encouraged his players not to come under pressure in the run up to the game.

The teams:

South Africa (likely) Graeme Smith (captain), Herschelle Gibbs, AB de Villiers, Justin Kemp, Mark Boucher (wicket-keeper), Vernon Philander, Shaun Pollock, Johan van der Wath, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel and Andre Nel.

India (probable) Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain and wicket-keeper), Virender Sehwag, Gautham Gambhir, Robin Uthappa, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla, S Sreesanth and RP Singh.

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Aussies 10-wicket knockout punch to Sri Lankans

Cape Town: Adversity brings out the best in the Australians. Facing a knock-out game and without their skipper Ricky Ponting – officially recognised as the best player in the world – Australia responded in a manner only the world champions can.

Adam Gilchrist-led Australia knocked Sri Lanka out of the ICC World Twenty20 tournament by ten wickets at the Newlands cricket ground here on Thursday.

Chasing a measly target of 102 runs, openers Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden knocked off the formalities in just 10.2 overs as the world champions sail into the semis.

Hayden, bullying the bowling in his usual, inimitable manner, made an unbeaten 58 off 38 balls with seven fours and two sixes while his skipper was undefeated on 31 off 25 balls with four fours.

So severe was the hammering administered to the Sri Lankans that they looked like schoolboys lost on a huge University playground through the Australian innings.

In all fairness to the Lankan bowlers, there was really not much that they could have done with a score like that. It was only all about running up to the wicket, try and keep it in the right areas, and wait for the inevitable to happen.

In any case, Hayden and Gilchrist have far too much of batting class to let the Lankans go unpunished after their spineless display. The usual pulls and drives and slashes were out on display, with just a little touch of arrogance.

They toyed with the bowlers, really. If any bowler managed a few dot balls, the next delivery would just sail into one of the stands or crash into the hoardings. A completely one-sided contest!

Earlier, the Stuart Clark-Brett Lee combo bowled Sri Lankans out for 101 in 19.3 overs, which is sure to send a few shivers down the spines of some other teams.

Gilchrist, standing in for injured Ponting, chose to have a bowl and Lee struck in his first over itself, removing Sanath Jayasuriya for a duck. The Newlands pitch offered quite a bit of assistance to the seamers, and once 'Stuey' Clark arrived at the party, the Aussie fans gulped down their beers in glee.
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Yuvraj Sing hit Six Sixes as England Bowler was helpless

Durban: Indian vice-captain Yuvraj Singh has been living a nightmare ever since England allrounder Dmitri Mascarenhas clobbered him for five successive sixes in an over at the sixth ODI at the Oval. Many, by his own admissing, have been calling him to taunt him about the blitz that he was at the wrong end of.

Tonight, at the Kingsmead Cricket Ground, in the ICC World Twenty20 match against England, Yuvraj Singh found the perfect repartee for such callers by striking six massive sixes all over the ground off paceman Stuart Broad as he spurred India to a 19-run victory in the critical match. "God has answered my prayers but I feel sorry for Stuart," he said, savouring the double delight of the being the first to hit six sixes in an over in T20 and a fine India win.

"It was a great feeling to achieve this. I was the one who was hit for five sixes and I know it is horrible feeling at the end of the day. Obvioulsy, there are good days and there are bad. It was one of those days where he was at the wrong end," he said. "It is T20 and it can happen to anyone. It is just how the game is."

Yuvraj Singh said that a brief exchange with Andrew Flintoff charged him up a bit. "This is international cricket and these are a part of the game but he had charged me up and I wanted to give it back with the bat," he said. "We had two overs to go and had seven wickets in hand and I just wanted to play my shots. After the fourth I thought I could try a couple more if used the crease better."

None of the shot were pre-meditated. he said. "I was watching the ball off his hand and I just wanted to hit straight and I am glad I connected all six. He was looking for the yorker and I was able to make one a full toss and another a half-volley by using the crease. I guess I timed it right," he said.
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Zimbabwe Upset Mighty Australia In World Twenty20

Cape Town: Rusty and underdone Australia were embarrassed by the so-called minnows – Zimbabwe – by five wickets in their opening ICC World Twenty20 match at the Newlands cricket stadium here on Wednesday.

Chasing 139 to win, Zimbabwe achieved the target with one ball to spare, thanks to a valiant, unbeaten 60 off 45 balls by wicket-keeper and opening batsman Brandon Taylor.

In a match marked by inconsistent batting as well as the weather, the Zimbabwean fielding and spirit conquered everyone's hearts. In a heart-stopping final over bowled by Nathan Bracken, Zimbabwe needed 12 to win, with Taylor and Elton Chigumbura at the crease.

Taylor hit the first ball for four, reducing the deficit to eight, and when the fifth ball went for four leg byes, it was mayhem.

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting was an angry man, and he said he was "embarrassed" by the result. "There are not many moments when I walk off the park feeling like this. If we don't learn from this, we all are fools," he thundered.

A couple of quick wickets did peg Zimbabwe back and when the rain intervened, they were actually behind the asking rate according to the Duckworth-Lewis system. However, Taylor played exemplary cricket to pull off Zimbabwe's most amazing win in recent times.

Hamilton Masakadza supported Taylor well to make 27.

Left-arm seamer Mitchell Johnson bowled well for Australia , taking one wicket for 26 runs in his four overs and seamer Stuart Clark was very good, taking two for 22 in his four overs.

Earlier, the Zimbabwe bowlers, backed by their athletic and eager fielders, ran the mighty Australians ragged for most part of their 20.

Australia were restricted to 138 for nine. Brad Hodge and Andrew Symonds were the two batting heroes for Australia, with Hodge scoring an unbeaten 34 and Symonds making 33..

Ponting surprisingly chose to bat on a cloudy evening and soon paid the price. In the very first over itself, bowled by Elton Chigumbura, Matthew Hayden fell caught behind by wicket-keeper Taylor.

Hayden played an arrogant pull shot to the fence but there was surprise in store for those who thought the usual Australian dominance would kick start from there. The left-hander touched a wide delivery outside the off-stump and walked back to the pavilion.
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New Zealand Wins Comfortable Against Kenya

Mark Gillespie returned the best ever figures in Twenty20 cricket as New Zealand demolished Kenya by nine wickets in the ICC World Twenty20 here on Wednesday.

Gillespie picked up 4-7 in 2.5 overs to send Kenya crashing for 73 all out, the lowest T20 international total, which the Kiwis surpassed easily in the eighth over to begin their campaign on a rousing note.

Peter Fulton ended the one-sided match with two consecutive sixes off Rajesh Bhudia.

In Tuesday's opening match in Johannesburg, West Indian Chris Gayle scored the first century in the shortest version of the game but could not prevent an eight-wicket win by hosts South Africa.

Daniel Vettori celebrated his elevation as New Zealand's Test captain earlier in the day by winning the toss and asking Kenya to bat first at a sun-baked Kingsmead.

Kenya lost the first three wickets without a run on the board, slipped to 4-1 before Collins Obuya and Thomas Odoyo put on 36 for the fifth wicket.

Both batsmen made 18 runs each but it was not enough to help the Africans put up a reasonable total to challenge New Zealand in the group C match.

Vettori, who already captains New Zealand in one-day and Twenty20 cricket, replaced the long-serving Stephen Fleming as Test skipper earlier on Wednesday.

"I am pretty happy the way we bowled," said Vettori. "(Shane) Bond and Gillespie set up the win for us and we now look forward to our other matches."

Fast bowler Bond struck with the first delivery of the match when he bowled Maurice Ouma and then dismissed Tanmay Mishra off his fifth ball.

Gillespie removed David Obuya and captain Steve Tikolo in his first over and returned to polish off the tail to beat England captain Paul Collingwood's previous best figures of 4-22.

Bond, Vettori and Chris Martin took two wickets each as Kenya were shot out in 16.5 overs, falling below Australia's 79 against England at the Rose Bowl in 2005.

New Zealand lost Lou Vincent for 27, but Brendon McCullum (16 not out) and Fulton (21 not out) saw the Kiwis home in style.

The 12-nation tournament features the nine Test nations currently playing Test cricket along with Zimbabwe, Kenya and Scotland.
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Pakistan Defeated Scotland By 51 Runs

The Asian giants survived a Scottish scare while defending a target of 172, but eventually won the match by a margin of 51 runs. Shahid Afridi ended with figures of 4/19 and Umar Gul with 4/25.

The Scots came hard at Pakistan in the first Group D match of the ICC World Twenty20, restricting the latter to a score of 171/9. After an initial wobble, Younus Khan resurrected the Pakistan innings with a well compiled 41.

Pakistan were struggling at 50/3 before Younus, captain Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi led the fightback. Afridi scored a quickfire 22 off just 7 balls, an innings which comprised of two sixes and a four.

Scotland will have to chase down 172 to cause the first big upset in the ICC World Twenty20.

Earlier, Scotland captain Ryan Watson won the toss and sent Pakistan in to bat in a group D match of the ICC World Twenty20 at the Kingsmead here.

Pakistan: Shoaib Malik (capt), Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Yasir Arafat, Mohammad Asif, Salman Butt, Umar Gul, Mohammad Hafeez, Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Imran Nazir.

Scotland: Ryan Watson (capt), Fraser Watts, Dougie Brown, John Blain, Gavin Hamilton, Navdeep Poonia, Neil McCallum, Colin Smith, Craig Wright, Dewald Nel, Majid Haq.
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South Africa beat West Indis in World Twenty20 Opener

If ever there was a ground where records would be broken, it would have to be the Wanderers. The groundsman, Chris Scott, predicted as much before the ICC World Twenty20 got underway on Tuesday.

And true to form for the oval which produced that famous 872-run ODI between South Africa and Australia last year, Tuesday's opener between the home side and the West Indies saw the record books being rewritten once again with Chris Gayle becoming the first Twenty20 International centurion and South Africa producing the highest run chase at the
Wanderers ground to win by eight wickets.

While records are inevitable in such a new format of the game where few internationals have been played, the crowd had to take their hard-hats off to Gayle and Gibbs who put in some incredible performances.

After Smith won the toss and sent the West Indies in to bat, it seemed that opener Gayle was inspired by all the hard-hats being worn by the crowd. The powerful left-hander looked determined to put them to the test as he smashed the ball all over the park.

He reached his 50 in 26 balls and together with Devon Smith shattered the first record of the night in producing the highest opening partnership in Twenty20 Internationals. The duo reached 145 before Smith was caught behind off Vernon Philander's first over of the evening for 35.

Gayle took the loss of his batting partner in his stride, however, and continued to punish the bowlers. Even the usually stingy Shaun Pollock had 52 runs blasted from his allotted four overs.

He could take some consolation from bagging the wicket of Marlon Samuels who skied one to AB de Villiers and returned to the dug-out with six runs on the board.

But that did little to slow Gayle down and the Jamaican soon had another record in the bag after becoming the first player to score a century in Twenty20 Internationals.

That he did off just 50 balls before finally falling to Johan van der Wath for 117, after smashing one high into the Jo'burg night sky only for it to fall into the gloves of Boucher just a few steps from the wicket. He had cracked a record 10 sixes in his breathtaking innings.
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Cricket Bowling Drill By Bhutanese Cricketer

Check out the Video on Cricket Bowling drill By Bhutanese cricketer showing to the Young School Kids

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The Last Shangrila Cup Video

Guys,
Check this Video of the Last Shangrila CUp 2007 Held in gelephu last month. The Video has few stand still picture to flavor the video. The Video clip is that of The opening Match between Assam XI Vs Sarpang XI. Assam XI Batting.

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Bhutan Cricket Development Weekend Review

The Week saw Bhutan Cricket Successfully organized the "The Last Shangril-la Cup" held in gelephu where 3 teams participated which are Thimphu XI, Assam XI and Sarpang, Thimphu XI clinch the Title after they Defeated Assam XI in the Final played on 15th July 2007. For More Details information about the Tournament, Please visit Bhutan Cricket Website.

Thimphu XI Captain Jigme Singye Receive the Winner Trophy from Sarpang Dzongda, watch by Bhutan cricket Treasurer Mr Ugyen Tenzin

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Thimphu XI and Assam XI to Battle for the Shangrila Cup

Today, Assam XI were Bowled out for 62 runs by Thimphu XI after Thimphu XI Skipper Jigme Singye Choose to Field First, it was the day for the bowler as the Ball was doing all sort of good to them, swing, movement and so on.Pema Thinley, left arm spinner from Thimphu XI took four wicket from 4 overs. None of the Assam XI batsmen could cross above 10 runs as the Thimphu XI team came back strongly after they lost the First Match against them by 1 wicket which turned to be a crucial one.



So the Final of the Last Shangrila Cup will be played on the 15th July 2007 in Gelephu Sports Association Ground between Thimphu XI and Assam XI, the Gelephu people are excited and looking forward to watching the Final.

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The Last Shangrila Cup 2007

The Last Shangrila Cup 2007 is underway in Gelephu Bhutan, Three Team are taking part, the Tournament kicked of on 7th July 2007 and the final will be played on the 15th July 2007. The Tournament is part of youth development program where the young boys from Sarpang and Thimphu are kept with the Cricket. The Team are Thimphu XI, Sarpang XI and Assam XI, as of now, Assam XI are on top of the table with Thimphu XI on second spot, Sarpang XI failed to win a single match are out of the Tournament. The Final will be played between Assam XI and Thimphu XI on 15th July 2007. All the Matches are played in Gelephu Sports Association Ground.

The Tournament is Organised by Bhutan Cricket and Sponsored by "Bhutan Tourism Corporation Limited, DSB Enterprise, Wind Horse Tours, Tshenden Travel Service, Shadow Arts and Paints, Mishal Sports Center(Phuntsholing) Bhutan Concrete Bricks.

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A week Review of Bhutan Cricket Activities

This Week saw some cricket tournament around Bhutan with Thimphu School Tournament concluded last sunday as Motithang school Senior Team defeated Yangchenphu Senior team to crown the Champion and in Junior Level, Yangchen School Junior Team defeated Motithang School Junior team to crown the Champion, a total of 4 team from Thimphu Dzongkhag Participate in the month long tournament as New comer Khasadrupchu School and Dechencholing school showed some sign of improvement in the cricket though they were out of the tournament from the giants of Motithang Middle Secodary School and Yangchenphu Higher Secondary School who have most of the Junior National Players of Bhutan Which Participated in the International Tournament Organized by Asian Cricket Council, the likes of Under-17 ACC trophy, Under-15 Challenge Cup 2006.

The Thimphu School Tournament saw emergence of talented players and the crowd still love watching the cricket match in the only Ground which Bhutan Cricket has, The Thimphu Cricket ground which is just located next to Archery Range and Football field.

Another school tournament which is being played is the Sarpang Dzongkhag under-19 school tournament organised by the sarpang dzongkhag in association with Bhutan Cricket. The first Match between Sarpang Middle Secondary School and Gelephu Higher Secondary School was abandon by rain and second match between Norbuling Middle Secondary School vs Perlithang lower secondary school, Norbuling Middle Secondary School saw some exciting match as Norbuling School at the end winning by 2 wickets. The Match are played every saturday and sunday in Gelephu Lower Secondary School ground Where it is played on Coir Matting.

Motithang School Junior Vs Yangchenphu School Junior Match

Winner and Runner's up With Chief Guest

WOW!! A Sniff of leather, wai khoray!!
Yangchenphug School team With Teachers

Motithang School Team
Yangchenphu Girls supporting thier school team during the Final

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Bhutan Cricket Ground : A Changes

Hola!!
I am doing some time pass on my computer where i came across with these two picture of Thimphu Cricket Ground. One is taken on 2004 and the other in 2006, the Difference of two years and the changes that the ground had undergone.

Thimphu Cricket Ground in year 2006

The Ground in the year 2004

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Bhutan Cricket Recruited Two Local Coahes

Guys,
Sorry for not being able to update this blog, and yeah, KC is being question for me to not able to update my blog, at the moment i don't have hot news to update and if there is i do it on the Bhutan Cricket Official website. Well this made me free to update my Visit Bhutan 2008 Blogs and my Personal Blog www.ugyen.com. And you can always find hot news and post out there. What am i to write here now.. hehe.. eh!!

Anyway i have something to share with all my readers, Bhutan Cricket Board has recruited two additional Local coaches for the development of cricket in schools and districts of Bhutan, both the coaches are from National players playing for the senior squad. The Coaches are Sonam Tobgay and Dorji dakpa who is currently in Gelephu District with Assistant Coaching Co-ordinator Mr Tshering Dorji.

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Gelephu Schools to Battle for School cricket Tournaments trophy

HI Everyone,
Sorry for not keeping this blog updated with news , well i was away from the Capital City and was on tour to Souther Gelephu region with my Fellow Colleagues D.S.Gurung, the coaching coordinator for the Development activities and preparation of Gelephu School tournaments.
Cricket has grown in numbers in the gelephu district especially in the schools where more and more kids are into cricket.With the construction of two center wicket in the Gelephu Lower Secondary School which has two good size for the school cricket tournament, the Gelephu schools were lucky to have their own ground which is a bonus for them to develop the cricket in the schools.

We also meet with the District Education Officer of Sarpang Dzongkhag and official of Bhutan India Friendship Association (Gelephu Local Chapter),we had the discussion about the organizing of schools tournament later by the end of this month. The Tournament will be jointly hosted by the Bhutan Cricket Board and Sarpang Dzongkhag after the respective cluster tournament get to end and the winner of each cluster play for the trophy.

The Preparation of the Ground was not that easy with the existing ground level and tall grass covered the whole of the area. The Lawn Mower really had tough time getting thrugh the grass and it took nearly 4 days to mowed the whole two ground. As with the Center wicket, it wasn't easy too as we got the area measured and then dig the wicket block which later on will have jute matting covered on top when the tournament underway. A Heavy roller was also engaged to roll the wicket block for good base compaction so that it will keep hard and the ball get good bounce in the tournament.

In the wake of promoting girls cricket in schools, local Coaches were engaged in coaching the schools girls where they were taught fielding and batting.The Girls numbers has increased compared to last month when Bhutan cricket introduced cricket in sarpang dzongkhag.

The Trip was a productive one with two ground ready to host the tournament and Gelephu Lower Secondary School getting new sets of netting for the student to have a go with the cricketing shots.
Thanks for your kind support and the patience.
Tashi Delek

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Roger Binny inspire Gelephu School Kids

HI Guys,
Sorry for not able to update this blog, well i was busy taking a break and getting the Cricket World Cup updated as the super 8 match is underway. And yea, i been to Gelephu , a place in south of Bhutan and border to Indian State of Assam. Actually we were on tour with Roger Binny who is the Country Development Officer of Bhutan and is on 4 days country assignment.

Roger Binny on his Second Visit to Bhutan and this time, the Board has decided to take him to Gelephu Region where the Local Coaches have already done the Level " O" Coaching Course and Cricket Development Activities in the Schools. His Visit would mean an immense shoot up of cricket Enthusiastic amongst the Student. All has been arranged in the Gelephu District with the help of Bhutan India Friendship Association Vice-President Norbu Rabten and Dorji, these guys have rendered tireless service to the Bhutan Cricket in arrangement of Roger Binny Visit to Gelephu.

Bhutan Cricket Official and Roger Binny meet with the principal and Headmaster of Gelpehu Middle Secondary School and Gelephu Lower Secondary School respectively and discussed about the cricket promotion in the school, roger said that the most important for the cricket to develop is to have base in the school. He also visited various vacant area in and around Gelephu region for a suitable and International Size Ground for Bhutan Cricket to Develop it.

Later in the Afternoon, The schools has another plan, the District Education Officer has ordered all the Teachers and student to welcome Roger Binny, the 1983 world cup winning players. The school basketball ground was filled with 1000 plus student from Both the schools to welcome Roger Binny and to Get Inspirational Talk and Autograph. The Headmaster welcomed him with Traditional Khadar and then he was briefly introduced by Norbu Rabten, the Focal Person for Bhutan cricket, he then gave a short talk to the student and send a waves of encouragement to all the Student. He was then Mob for the Autograph.

Such an Great Ambassador for cricket can turn the favor and mind of young kids around and so can the Cricket Game be Achieved at highest level, with the formal presence of Roger Binny in the Gelephu Schools, more and more Student will take up cricket and thus promote cricket in the region.

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Bhutan Cricket History : Part VII ( The Last Part)

Hello Everyone,
Thanks for Being part of Bhutan Cricket. The History of the Bhutan Cricket Concluded with This Post.
Continuation Series of Bhutan Cricket History from Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5
Part VI

The year also saw the sponsor for Bhutan Cricket with cricket overtaking other sporting events of the country and it’s been said by public that “Cricket is the only Active Board where coaching and activities happens year long which the credit to the Young Board Member of Bhutan Cricket. Though Football is number one sports in Bhutan and Archery the National Game of Bhutan.

Zimdra Vanaspati Sponsored Bhutan cricket with 1 Million Ngultrum, Lhaki Cement with One Lakh and Druk Air (Royal Bhutan Airlines), there were other minor sponsored in Mandala Tours and Treks, Bhutan Kaza tours and Trek, Dechen Culutral Trekking Company, Etho Metho Tours and Treks and other companies.

The official presentation of one million sponsor deal for Bhutan cricket was Held in the Thimphu cricket Ground where His Excellency Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk, the president of Bhutan Cricket on Behalf of Bhutan Cricket received the Sponsor deal from Dasho Ugen Tshechup Dorje, the Vice-Chairman of Singye Group of Companies, the other present were Bhutan Cricket Board Members, National Coach Baba Sourjah, Senior National players and Media Groups.

Bhutan Cricket Senior National team then tour Sri Lanka before the ACC Trophy in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, the 10 days tour benefited the players a lot in playing similar condition of that in Malaysia. The ACC Trophy was Asian Cricket Council Biggest Tournament for Non Test Playing Nation and it’s also a qualifying Tournament for the Next World Cup. The Previous Winner Oman getting a division qualifying from Asia and will play with oceanic and Europe winner for a place in the World Cup Final.

Bhutan were group alongside Nepal, Hong Kong, Kuwait and Myanmar which is group of death, Bhutan couldn’t perform well in the group stages as they were beaten by Hongkong in the their First Match, Nepal then Thrashed Bhutan after Nepal scored 300+ runs and Bhutan were all out for 36 runs, an Himalayan Battle won by superior team. Bhutan were yet again trashed by Kuwait and their only consolation came when they Beat Myanmar by 8 wickets. Jigme Singye was named Man of the Match for his 5 wickets hauls and only the second bowler after Tandin Wangchuk to take 5 wickets in a match. Bhutan debacle in international match was a trend at the moment with less and not having a proper cricket ground back in Bhutan. Given time, Bhutan cricket will be an country to watch out later on.

Back in Bhutan the Thimphu cricket Ground was ready for yet another cricket coaching and organized cricket Tournament, and club matches. The ground which is no more than 70 meters length and 65 meters width attracted the people passing by with the look alike of International Ground. The strip and the mowing style set the example of how well Bhutan Cricket Curator is trained and experienced. The ground gave a different fever for the kids as well for the cricketers and other cricket lovers.

August end and September month was a busy cricket season for the whole Thimphu school as Bhutan Cricket Organized the first ever Under-15 schools tournament for under-15 schools kids. The tournament saw 9 schools participating and lasted for one month, Zimdra Vanaspati, Drukair (Royal Bhutan Airlines) and Lhaki Cement was main sponsor apart from sponsoring Bhutan Cricket Board. Motithang Higher Secondary School was champion at the end after defeating Yangchenphu Higher Secondary School.

The tournament was a huge success and School kids were lucky to have their match witness by Roger Binny, the former 1983 world cup winner who was in the Country to do assessment of Bhutan Cricket on Behalf of Asian Cricket Council. He did one day coaching camp for the under-15 schools kids and with senior squad as well. The tournament did helped Bhutan Cricket to choose talented Under-15 National Cricket Team where Bhutan reached Final and securing Second spot along with the Coveted Spirit of the Cricket Award during Under-15 Asian Cricket Council Challenge cup held in Bangkok in December 2006. Click here to read the Under-15 School Tournament Match Reports and Archive

Right after the school tournament concluded, Bhutan Cricket Organized Club tournament which is know as Zimdra Vanaspati Cup, Zimdra Being the Official Sponsor of Bhutan cricket. The Tournament news brought new hope and aspiration for former clubs which after a gap of more than two years saw a real cricket match. The matches were played every Saturday and Sunday due to most players are school going student, the tournament format was a league match where every clubs should play against each other and the one Who collects the highest point will be crown the Champion. Five Thimphu Based Club Participated in the Tournament, Friends United, Bhutan Telecom, Bhutan Times, Youth 11, IMTRAT. Friends United were crown Champion with Youth11 securing Second Spot. Click here to Read the Zimdra Vanaspati Cup Match Reports and Archives.

As the Thailand Cricket Association Prepares for the ACC Under-15 Challenge Cup to be held in December 2006, Bhutan Cricket with tournament summer season ended after the Zimdra Vanaspati Cup, Under-15 coaching camp started in the Thimphu Cricket Ground, Players were chosen from the under-15 school tournament and were given coaching, the Coach had tough time to select the 14th players out of 30 probable list. All were equally talented and are keen to represent Bhutan in the International Arena.

Bhutan couldn’t participate in 2005 when the last ACC Under-15 Cricket trophy was held in UAE, the team were fully equipped and were made entry till Thailand when they were rejected for the Issuance of UAE Visa, this sort of Visa Glitch was to be blamed the Organizing Committee after they in first stance agreed to follow the Visa procedure from UAE Cricket office when at last moment they forced Bhutan out of the Tournament.
Anyway back to the Topic, with vigorous Training in the iced cold weather of Thimphu, Bhutan cricket was finally set for the Tournament.

Bhutan young under-15 created history when they reached the Final of the Tournament and only to lose to stronger side Oman. The team played brilliantly through out the tournament with 2 wins and two lose in the group stage, Thailand team were out of the tournament in despair after semi final clash where Bhutan after setting a target of 120 bowled out Thailand team for 105. Such was the sign of strong base of Bhutan cricket after barely 4 years of Introducing cricket in Bhutan. Bhutan was awarded with the Spirit of the Cricket Award for overall disciplines in the Tournament out of 10 countries participate. Bhutan got the entry pass to the Elite Level of the Under-15 Tournament along with Oman in the Next Under-15 Tournament.

At home people gossip the success of the Under 15 Cricket Team and sent Himalayan fever to everyone, cricket blood were injected in to the Stubborn Archery and soccer blood. Click here to Read the Archives News and match reports of ACC Under-15 Challenge Cup 2006 held in Bangkok, Thailand in December 2006.

The Success of the Under-15 cricket Team brought lot of fans and lovers together when Bhutan Cricket organized their own version of Twenty20 Cricket Tournament in Thimphu. 6 Team participated in the tournament which is played in the cold weather condition of Thimphu where the Temperature goes to Minus in morning and Night. The ground used to get bad cover of frost early morning and Night, Match have to be played around 10 am in the Morning.

The Twenty20 Tournament saw the emerging of new technology, the live ground commentary of the whole Match. This is certainly the crowd Puller, the player had so much fun and so the crowds, Girls were few who did the cheering in the Final between Bhutan Telecom and Friends United where Bhutan Telecom outplayed Friends United and won the First ever Bhutan Cricket Twenty20 Tournaments. Click here to Read the Archive News and Match Reports.

This is the end of the Bhutan Cricket History and I take no responsibility if certain things had not been included or vice versa. Thanks to all my valuable reader for time to read it and I must thank Homer for his excellent thought, Rezwan for Shouting it in the Globalvoicesonline and other fellow.

The rest of the Bhutan Cricket story and history can be continued where Bhutan Cricket having a dedicated website and keep updates of cricketing updates within Bhutan and Outside Bhutan

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World Cup Fever - who do you cheer up ?

Guys, didn't know that world cup has started, lolz.. well am pretty much lazy, didn't have Tv line at my home for last 5 months and.. yet don't bother as well.. Anyway the world cup would be great now, top teams getting a bit of pressure from the minnows, never under estimate the strength of the minnows. Anything can Happen now!!

I just sum up now.. My team for the World Cup, "Go Kiwis" The all time Favorites Black Caps - New Zealand, Please share me your team if anyone drops by this blog!! Would love to see the real happening in the Most Prestigious Cup of Cricket. The World Cup!!!

Type rest of the post here

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Bhutan Cricket History : Part VI

Continuation Series of Bhutan Cricket History from Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

Cricket is slowly gaining the popularity amongst the young kids and schools, with regular coaching program in Thimphu District and other District, the numbers of cricket playing have increased.

Back in Bhutan, Bhutan cricket organized Umpire and scorer course for the Bhutanese Cricketer and local interested funded by Asian Cricket Council. Peter Manual, former International Umpire was the Resource person.

With Asian Cricket Council organizing Under – 17 ACC Trophy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from August 5th to 13th 2005 and Invitation sent to all the Asian cricket Members, Bhutan Cricket prepared then prepared the Team to play in the Tournament. Baba Mazhir Sourjah was again appointed as the National Coach and to Prepare for the Under-17 Trophy, Bhutan Cricket then sent notice to schools about the coaching program and the tournament, schools kids were given coaching and were selected for the Tournament. Due to the lack of proper ground and facilities, coaching has really hard for the coach.

Bhutan Cricket with the help of Indian Counselor Rao did coaching and Match Practice in picturesque Indian Embassy cricket Ground. Asian cricket Council Country Development officer Rumesh Ratnayke made his trip to Bhutan to assist the Under-17 National team for the Tournament. With regular Match Practice situation and coaching, Bhutan cricket u-17 National team was selected with Manoj Adhikari leading the team.
Bhutan were Group against Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Singapore. Bhutan Participated in the Tournament and were minnows with the likes of UAE, Nepal, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore , Bahrain, Afghanistan, Oman and other strong nation.

Though Bhutan lost all the group match, Bhutan Sushil Sharma Luitel, a 14 years old players caught the headlines and other spectator when he half the size of the opponent bowled 8 overs without giving a single wide’s and faced the pace attack with straight bat when other had the problem. He sets the example of how a young cricketing Nation like Bhutan has the talent in young school kids. The Under-17 Tournament had to be Abandon after the Quarter Final Match due to smoky and haze in Kuala Lumpur after fire blazed in the Neighboring Country. The Tournament had to be canceled and there was no winner.

Thimphu Cricket Ground has slowly got the turf covered and laid a concrete wicket in the middle where a permanent synthetic wicket would be laid for local tournament and match Practice. At the end of October 2005, Bhutan Cricket Laid second synthetic wicket in the Center which became the gem for all the cricketers and lovers where they could actually feel the game sense and match situation.

For the toast to the cricket lovers and enthusiastic cricketer club, Bhutan cricket organized their own version of super 8 knock out tournament where 8 teams participated. The rule is only 8 players a side and 8 over, The scoring runs rule was just simple for the small ground, if the ball hits the fence two runs are scored and if it goes above the fence without touching the fence four runs are credited to the Batsmen, if it land in the first step of the pavilion six runs. IMTRAT team won the tournament with Friend’s United team runner’s up. The tournament brought up new face in the cricket as people began to understand the game and the rules.

The year 2006.

As the cricket activities kept on rolling and matches played between the clubs and the cricket lovers, Asian Cricket Council yet again organized the Emerging Nation Trophy hosted by Thailand in Bangkok. The teams are same except for Brunei not able to participate in the tournament, Bhutan National Team was trained for two months in the Thimphu. With same Weather condition prevailing, the training has been very tough, still the players mange to adapts. Feb 2006, Bhutan Participated in the 4th Emerging Nation Tournament held in Bangkok from 12th – 16th February 2006.

Bhutan jinx in International Match Still couldn’t be broken as they were yet again beaten by Thailand and Maldives in the league match. Apparently Bhutan and Thailand Match was decided on duck worth lewis after rain interrupted in the second innings when Bhutan was chasing a score of 300 runs made by Thailand Team, Thailand were the winner by 69 runs at the end. The Tournament was graced by Bhutan Queen Her Majesty Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuk while playing against Maldives, this has been a memorable moment for Bhutanese Cricketer and Maldives cricketer, Dasho Ugen Tshechup Dorje, the Vice-President of Bhutan Cricket accompanied the Queen as well. Bhutan lost to Maldives and yet again a replay of the 3rd Emerging Nation trophy final between Maldives and Thailand, Maldives outplayed Thailand and were Champion for second time in second years row.

The Asian Cricket Council ACC Trophy 2006 to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from june 12-24 June 2006. The preparation for the Senior National Team which consist of former national players and other new talented players. Bhutan Cricket with the recommendation from Rumesh Ratnakya, the Country Development officer yet again appointed Baba Mazhir Sourjah as National coach and to prepared team for the ACC Trophy. With the ground in good condition for the coaching and match, training has been different with game sense and match plan along with the fitness of the players simultaneously coaching the schools kids during weekend by the senior players assist by Baba M Sourjah. Schools Kids gather in the grounds in Numbers and Girls did participated which shows the cricket has been injected into the blood of Bhutanese people.

There were funs all around the ground with the kids, basic cricket coaching for the beginner were taught, young talented players were chosen in the probable list for the Under-15 Challenge Cup in December 2006. The schools kids were given valuable tips by the senior players and were benefited during Under-15 Canvas Ball School Tournament held later in the September month.

Baba M Sourjah, Coaching Session In Indian Embassy, Thimphu

Bhutan Under-17 and Senior Players does Warm Up

Umpire Peter Manual With the Participant on the Field

Umpires And Scorers Lunch Time, Guys looks Yummy

Under-17 National Team Fielding Session In Indian Embassy Ground

Bhutan Young Sushil Sharma during Net Practice

Under-17 Players In Net Practice Session in Thimphu

Guys Still One Last Part to Go before i finish with Bhutan Cricket History Series..... Stay Tuned!!!!

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