Thinley Namgay
Bhutan women’s cricket team vice-captain Anju Gurung will participate in the first world FairBreak Invitational Women’s T20 Cricket tournament in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, from May 1 to 15.
The tournament was supposed to take place in Hongkong, but the organisers had to change the venue considering the Covid-19 situation.
Anju is leaving the country on April 19. The left-arm speedster would feature in one of the six teams along with some of the best international female cricketers.
“There will be players from many countries and the organisers will divide us into six teams. I will train in Thailand for 10 days,” Anju said.
The 28-year-old will become the first Bhutanese female cricketer to play in an international league tournament.
Besides showcasing her talent, the FairBreak Invitational Women’s T20 Cricket tournament inspires other players to follow in her footsteps and excel in cricket.
Press Officer of Bhutan Cricket, Tandin Wangchuk said: “Thailand Cricket Association has agreed to assist us with her stay in Thailand and train at their academy.”
Anju Gurung will train with the Thai women’s national cricket team from April 19 to 29.
Tandin Wangchuk said that Anju had been with the national team since women’s cricket started in Bhutan and possessed the required domestic and international experience.
He said Anju has also been amongst the highest wicket-takers in various tournaments. “She is confident and can bowl at any given point in the game.”
“She might be star struck a bit since top women cricketers from across the world will be there, but she is there to compete and do it,” said Tandin Wangchuk, adding that she might surprise others at the tournament.
After knowing about the tournament, Bhutan Cricket’s chief executive officer (CEO), Damber S Gurung, wrote to the managing director of FairBreak Global, Shaun Martyn.
The CEO sent preliminary videos of five potential players from Bhutan as per the requirements, and Anju was selected.
The FairBreak Invitational tournament is also the first privately funded tournament for women’s cricket organised by FairBreak Global. It is a first of a kind tournament approved by the International Cricket Council.