Nepal comes heavy against Bhutan at ACC Women’s Premier in Thailand
Bhutan lost the straight second match of the ACC Women’s Premier cricket being held in Thailand’s Chiang Mai Gymkhana. On Friday, Bhutan lost to Nepal.
Sonam Choden and Yeshey Wangmo took singles where before the rest hadn’t dared and bossed and swatted and hustled a 50-partnership in 13 overs that took Bhutan to a competitive 103.
Nepal, winning the toss, invited Bhutan to ball first. Bhutan scored 103 runs in its allotted 40-over for the loss of seven wickets. Sonu Khadka claimed two wickets and gave away only five runs in her eight over spell while skipper Rubina also grabbed two wickets costing 14 runs. Sita Magar and Rekha Rawal bagged one wicket apiece.
Bhutan’s Sonam Choden contributed 21 runs before being caught out by Sonu while Yeshey Wangmo contributed her team’s best score of 23 runs and remained not out. Choden and Wangmo both sent the ball rolling beyond the fence once each.Sonam Peldon (10) and Dechen Wangmo (13) were other batswomen scoring in the double digit.
Nepal’s game plan too was evidently one of initial defense too, Bhutan’s bowlers attacked.
Nepal made a shaky start with opener Rekha Rawal (2) and Sarita Magar (2) returning to the pavilion with just 11 runs on board by the 3.5 over.
There were two slips and a gully for seamers Anju Gurung and Tshering Wangmo and with the wicket quickening up under the hot sun, there was plenty of bounce for them. The early breakthrough came when Rekha Rawal was bowled by Anju Gurung, and then Sarita Magar fell for 1. Neera Rajopadhyay, after being dropped at gully was run out for 4 and then Sita Magar, after batting for nearly an hour fell for 8. 37 for 4 and Bhutan in the ascendant.
The change bowlers didn’t threaten as much as Anju and Tshering and Mamta Thapa and Rubina Chhetry were able to rebuild the Nepal innings. Anju Gurung came back on in the 18th over, with the score on 58 and dropped a most catchable drive from Rubina in her follow-through. Turning point. The next ball was glanced for 4.
Rubina Chhetry played a captain’s inning scoring match highest unbeaten 31 runs and wicketkeeper batswoman Mamta Thapa contributed 20 runs as Nepal achieved its dismal target of 104 runs in the 26.2 over for the loss of five wickets.
Thapa fell with the score on 74 in the 20th over but then all Nepal had to do was capitalize on a tiring attack. Chances came and went, Dechen Wangmo turned her leg-breaks well but Bhutan didn’t have enough runs on the board.
Anju Gurung, Tshering Wangmo, Devika Darjee and Sonam Choden bagged one wicket each for Bhutan.
Bhutan will take on China in its third match of the tournament on Saturday.