Thinley Namgay   

Bhutan Cricket has called 22 potential national team players from across the country for a training camp.

With a focus on improving the country’s T20I rankings, the team will prepare for upcoming international tournaments.

After the ICC World T20 Asia Qualifiers in Malaysia in 2018, the senior men’s team has not participated in international competitions.

The players were shortlisted based on their performances in domestic and international competitions among other criteria.

The preliminary squad of the selected cricketers has been training at Pelkhil School’s cricket ground in Thimphu since April 1. Of the 22 players, 14 will be selected for the final squad.

Bhutan Cricket’s chief executive officer, Damber S Gurung, said the training would be shifted to Gelephu cricket ground next week to provide a real ground experience for the players.

Damber S Gurung said that the training in Gelephu would be conducted in a semi-bubble format.

He said: “No player will be allowed to meet anyone from outside or go outside. The ground area will be sanitised from time to time.”

The selection committee comprises the national team head coach, two members of the cricket board, and the captain and the vice-captain.

Bhutan Cricket’s press officer, Tandin Wangchuk, said: “It’s been long since we had any sort of training for the national team.” 

The team is training under Trishane Nonis, a professional coach from Sri Lanka.