Thinley Namgay

Bhutan’s national women’s cricket team is still chasing its first win in the inaugural Bhutan-Myanmar Women’s T20I Bilateral Series 2024, held at the Gelephu International Cricket Ground.

With three consecutive victories, Myanmar clinched the series on December 24, though two remaining matches are set to take place today and tomorrow.

In the third match on December 24, Myanmar defeated Bhutan by 25 runs. Myanmar scored 103 runs in 20 overs, losing eight wickets, while Bhutan fell short, scoring only 78 runs in 18.4 overs. 

Zarli Win of Myanmar was named ‘Player of the Match’ for her outstanding performance, contributing 15 runs off 22 balls and claiming three crucial wickets during her four-over spell.

The second match on December 22 saw Myanmar edge out Bhutan by three wickets. Despite Bhutan’s strong showing, Myanmar’s calm and strategic batting sealed the game. The visitors also narrowly won the opening match on December 21 by two wickets.

Bhutan’s captain, Dechen Wangmo, expressed optimism about winning the remaining matches. “The opponents are slightly better than us in batting, but not technically.  They know how to adapt to the game situation. Moreover, our players struggle to handle game pressure,” she said, adding that Bhutan needs to improve its batting and fielding skills. 

Bhutan’s squad trained for three weeks leading up to the series. While their performance has improved compared to past games, Dechen Wangmo admitted it has not been sufficient to secure wins.

The two teams are closely ranked in women’s cricket, with Myanmar holding the 43rd spot globally and Bhutan ranked 46th.

The Bilateral Series provides an opportunity for players to gain international exposure, showcase their skills, and learn from others for improvement. Moreover, it fosters friendship between the two nations and players  through cricket.