SKD All-Stars defeated Dragon Strikers by four wickets to win the T20 Smash cricket tournament held at Jigmethang cricket ground in Thimphu on June 5.

It was SKD’s maiden win after having participated in few other editions of the same tournament. Dragon Strikers, on the other hand, were two-time champions of the same edition.

Choosing to bat first after winning the toss, Dragon Strikers lost both their openers — Sanjog Chhetri and skipper Tenzin Wangchuk early at a score of 36 after eight overs.

Sanjog was caught behind by wicket-keeper Manoj Adhikari off Kinzang Wangchuk’s bowling. Tenzin Wangchuk exited the field following a Leg Before Wicket (LBW) from Jigme Singye’s bowling.

Pasa Wangdi steered the ship for the Strikers with 28 runs of 33 balls before being run out by Jigme N Dorji at the position of the covers. It was SKD’s young and fast bowler, Tshering Dorji, who bagged the expensive wicket in form for the Strikers Suprit Pradhan and Tobden Singye in the same over that changed the course of the match.

The remaining batsman could add only 43 runs from the last five overs taking the total to 132 runs.

Dragon Strikers got the start they wanted as they bagged the wicket of opener Jigme N Dorji in the second over. Striker’s opening bowler, Thukten J Yoezer, added woes to SKD’s batting line-up as he went on to bowl-out Namgang Chojay and star player Jigme Singye.

SKD’s all-rounder, Wangten, was joined by their most experienced player and wicket-keeper Manoj Adhikari in the middle. Manoj went on to play a mature innings of 27 runs of 30 balls that kept the SKD on the hunt.

On the other hand, Wangten played a fearsome inning of 43 runs of 33 balls with a partnership of 70 runs between the two taking SKD closer to the target before Manoj was balled out by Sanjeevan. Wangten was caught out the next over of Suprit Pradhan’s bowling. Suprit went on to take his 13th wicket of the tournament when he got Mikyo Dorji stumped in the same over.

SKD then needed only four runs off nine balls to win, which Sherub Jamtsho pulled for a huge six down the leg side to give SKD their first title. Wangten was awarded the man of the match.

SKD’s Jigme Singye walked away as the best batsman of the tournament and Suprit Pradhan of Dragon Strikers was awarded the best bowler. Tashi Palden bagged the best fielder. All the winners received a cash prize of Nu 3,000 each. Suprit Pradhan was also awarded the ‘most valuable player’ recognition and a cash prize of Nu 10,000.

 

Staff Reporter

Edited by Tshering Palden

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