Thinley Namgay

Bhutan is set to host its maiden international cricket tournament, Bhutan T20 International Quadrangular Series, from October 19 to 25 at the Gelephu International Cricket Ground.

The tournament will feature men’s national cricket teams from Bhutan, Thailand, the Maldives, and Indonesia, competing in 10 matches, including the final.

Bhutan Cricket’s chief executive officer, Damber S. Gurung, expressed excitement about hosting the tournament. “We are thrilled to welcome the international teams and look forward to an exciting tournament,” he said,

He said that the performance in the tournament will also determine the ICC T20 rankings of the participating countries.

“Our national team has been training hard for a month and has played two practice matches against Indonesia, with the results evenly split at 1-1,” Damber S. Gurung said.

He said that Bhutan Cricket is dedicated to ensuring the success of the tournament, making it historic and memorable.

The tournament will kick off with Bhutan facing Thailand in the inaugural match on October 19.

One of the players, Ranjung Mikyo Dorji, said that Bhutan is confident about the tournament. “We have had good training, and most of the players are experienced. Many of them have played in international tournaments before,” he said.

Ranjung Mikyo Dorji said that Bhutan has faced all the other teams in the past. “I am optimistic about this tournament,” he said. “With the tournament happening in Bhutan, our team is hopeful about winning and making the country proud.”

The hosting of this international tournament is seen as a significant milestone for cricket in Bhutan, showcasing the sport’s growth over the years.

The tournament also provides an opportunity for Bhutanese fans to watch their favorite national players and gain better understanding of the quality of cricket in Bhutan.

The venue is also ideal for other participating teams, as Gelephu is still warm and humid, resembling the conditions of other  participating countries.