Thimphu School Cricket (Under-19 Boys Tournaments Ends in Thimphu)

2009 Under-19 Boys Winner Nima Higher Secondary School

Thimphu School Cricket came to end with the final of Under-19 Boys Tournaments ended as Nima Higher Secondary School won by 10 runs in a close final played on 4th October against the stronger opposing Yangchenphug Higher Secondary School played in Changlimithang Ground. Nima Higher Secondary School batted first and with a bunch of Jumior National players in the team, they managed to make 118 runs all out in 21.5 Overs, lead by skipper Kencho Norbu and assist by Pinch hitter Thinley Tenzin with the Destroyer Kami doing all the damaged, nima school had not the best start of the tournament as their leading run scorer Kencho fell in the first over to be sent back to pavilion without scoring a single runs but they have plenty left in Thinley Tenzin and other batsmen, Thinley lead the team to an comparative score of 118 after the other batsmen collapse to the brilliant bowling attack of the Yangchenphug School. Kami top the score with 29 runs and Thinley Tenzin with 18 Runs, Dechen was the pick of the bowler for Yangchenphug taking 5 wickets.


Final Match Between Nima School and Yangchenphug School Played in Changlimithang ground

Yangchephug begin their chase of 118 runs with their inform batsmen Dechen and Sonam taking charges of Nima Bowlers but they too fell to the experienced of Lakshmi Kami and Tashi Wangyel as they took early wickets. It was the introducing of Arpan, another tall and seemingly fast bowler who got the wicket of dangerous Tobgay playing away from the body. Yangchenphug batsmen couldn’t resist the sheer pace of the Nima bowling and with runs to win getting closer and wickets tumbling at other end, both the school could sniff the victory but it was the bowling of Thinley Tenzin who wrapped up the Yangchenphug inning and taking his School to the Victory.


Lakshmi Prasad Kami The Destroyer bowling to Yangchephug Batsmen

Department of Youth and Sport Program Officer my C.B Pradhan was the Chief Guest and handed prizes and trophy to the winning team and to losing team. Mementos to the Full time and Part time coaches were also been given along with the Umpires and the Scorer. Mr Sisir in his speech said that Cricket is the newest game introduced in Bhutan compares to other sports federation which has been to Bhutan long time, but its achievement is tremendenous and has brought glory to the country.


Ariel View of the U-19 Final Match

The Final match was also being grace by Bhutan cricket Chief Executive Officer Jigme N Norbu and Asian Cricket Council Country Development Officer Rumesh Ratnayake who was on country assignment. In his speech after the match, Rumesh said that Bhutan Cricket has grown from strength when he first visited in 2002, “I have seen a lot of improvement in the Game and I have a vision for short time that Bhutan cricket could stay in the elite level of Asian Cricket Council where they could compete with the likes of Nepal, Malaysia, UAE and other members, my long time goal would be to see Bhutan gaining the ODI Status and playing with bigger country like India, Sri Lanka, Australia and Pakistan, You student are the future of Bhutan Cricket and I want you to continue playing as well as to study”

Man of the Match (Final) : Dechen (Yangchenphug Higher Secondary School)
Man of the Tournament : Thinley Tenzin (Nima Higher Secondary School)
Best Batsmen : Kencho Norbu (Nima Higher Secondary School)
Best Bowler : Sisir Raj Gurung (Motithang Higher Secondary School)
Spirit of the Cricket : Nima Higher Secondary School


Nima H.S School Batting


Winner and Runner's Up Pose with Chief Guest and CDO Rumesh Ratnakya


From Left Dechen (Man of the Match), Thinley Tenzin (Player of the Tournament) and Kencho Norbu (Best Batsmen)


Winner With CDO Rumesh Ratnayka and Chief Guest


Runner's Up Yangchenphug School With Their Coach Manoj Adhikari


Bhutan Cricket Chief Executive Officer Jigme N Norbu With ACC CDO Rumesh Ratnakya witness the Final


ACC CDO Rumesh Shares his Tips to the Players


Bhutan Cricket Local Coaches enjoy's the Final Match


The Presentation Ceremony

Photo by Mr Tashi Phuntsho - General Manager Bhutan Majestic Travel

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Week 2 - Under 19 Boy’s School Cricket Championship, Thimphu 2009

Changlimithang Cricket Ground

After losing the first match against Nima HS School, Yangchenphug bounce back with 162 runs defeat against the last year champion “Lungtenzampa” yesterday. “I couldn’t believe it that we won the match easily against the champion” said the Yangchenphug Captain Dechen Wangchuk. Toss won by Lungtenzampa and elected to field first. On the wet pitch and with slow outfield two openers Kinley Wangchuk and Captain Dechen played exceptional inning adding 32 runs opening partnership when Dechen at 17 runs was caught at point by Vijay on Amrit’s bowl. Yangchenphug lost two quick wickets to build pressure on themselves but Bishnu played a super role to boost in-formed batsmen Kinley to score 69runs were Bishnu along with Karma added 36 & 24 runs to went on to amass the big total. Yangchenphug were 210 runs for 5 wickets in 30 over’s.

Kinley Wangchuk On his route to fine 69 runs

In 2nd inning Lungtenzampa’s openers Dawa scored 17 runs and Phub Dorji went out duck. Number three batsmen Youten Tashi who was well know for his calm and patient during the pressure situation was unfortunity runout by Tshering Tobgay with his great diving save and flat throw to keeper. Yangchenphug with solid bowling attack traumatized Lungtenzampa’s batsmen and bowled all out for 62 runs within 11.5 over’s. Dorji took 3 wickets for 10 runs in just 1.5 overs.

At the same time, Motithang against Dechencholing match was under going at Jigmethang Cricket Ground. Dechencholing won the toss and elected to field first. Poor batting performances, Motithang made 64 runs allout in 14.2 overs. The Opening bowling Galey Zangpo was the most economic, consistent and wicket taker from the Dechencholing side took 4 wickets for 18 runs in 5 overs. Sisir was the highest scorer from Motithang scoring 12 runs. The situation made everyone watching their believe that it is a easy win for Dechencholing but it was wrong. Motithang pacer Sisir, who still believed in his team, within himself showed miracles in their second inning and won that match. “Every pressure situation can be handle which i beleive and we did that”. said the Sisir. Motithang took first wicket for zero runs which made them boost to fight back. He bowled 4overs, took away 6 wickets for 13 runs which made them win the match and made him awarded undoubtly Man of the Match. I thought this game was ours but can’t believe it Motithang took aways with our poor batting performance but all the credit goes to Sisir said Deki Yangzom coach of Dechencholing.

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Thimphu School Cricket:- U-16 Girls and Class 7 & 8 Boy’s Tournaments Ends

Chamgzamtok School Skipper and Vice-Captain along with their Coach Ugyen Dorji Lifts the Class 7 & 8 Boys Winner’s Trophy

Thimphu:- In the Second half of the Bhutan Cricket School activities, Thimphu School Class 7 & 8 Boys Tournament and Under-16 Girls Tournament ends with some spectacular display of batting and bowling from the boys and girls. The Boys Tournament attracted 7 schools from Thimphu District and in the first ever U-16 Girls Tournament, 8 Schools participated to boost the growing numbers of girls and women playing.


Final Match Between Chamgzamtok School and Loselling School at Changlimithang Ground

Chamgzamtok Lower Secondary School defeated Loselling Lower Secondary School to lift the Boys Final and in U-16 Girls Tournament, Choden Lower Secondary defeated Loselling Lower Secondary School. The Final Match was played in the Changlimithang Cricket Ground where about 200 Student came to cheer up their school team.

U-16 Girls Winner Choden School with their Coach Tobgay Wangchuk.

In meantime, Under-19 Boys Tournament started with 5 higher secondary and middle secondary school participating. The opening match between Dechencholing and Lungtenzampa Middle secondary school saw Dechencholing school win by 6 wickets and in other match, Nima Higher Secondary School defeated Yangchenphug Higher Secondary School by 30 runs played in Changlimithang Ground. This is the last edition of the School cricket activities in Bhutan for the year 2009.

Gelephu:- The U-16 Girls tournament is underway with 6 schools participating in the first edition of U-16 Girls Tournament in Gelephu District. The participating Schools are Gelephu Lower Secondary School, Sarpang pry School, Bhur Community School, Dekiling Lower Secondary School and Jigmeling Lower Secondary School, Pelrithang Middle Secondary School. Later after the U-16 Girls Tournament, U-19 Boys and U-19 Girls Tournament will be started.

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India Enter into Semi Final After beating Host South Africa In ICC World Twenty20 Cup

Durban: Rudra Pratap Singh extended a tradition of an Indian left-arm fastmedium bowler making a stunning impact in a big game at the Kingsmead Cricket Ground as Team India came up with a high-octane performance for the second night running to breeze into a semifinal date with Australia in the ICC World Twenty20 with a superb – run victory over South Africa.

For the second night running, India was able to channelise its emotions and etch a stunning victory as it raced to the top of Group E and pushed the home side out of the tournament, carrying New Zealand into the semifinals after a triple tie. There was an enormous display of self-belief as India readied itself for a clash with Australia on Saturday.

From a dismal 61 for four in the 11th over, India finished with a fighting 153 for five in 20 overs. It rallied through an 85-run partnership between a creative Rohit Sharma (50 not out, 40 balls, seven fours, two sixes) and a steady Mahendra Singh Dhoni (45, 33 balls, four four, one six). It still left the team with a much work to do when defending the score.

Led by RP Singh, the bowlers and fielders did a terrific job of that. If RP Singh finished with four for 13 in four overs, Sreesanth and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh grabbed two wickets each while Irfan Pathan was at his economical best and Joginder Sharma filled his role as the fourth seamer adequately.

Four years ago, Ashish Nehra had demolished England in an ICC World Cup game here with a fine exhibition of swing bowling at Kingsmead. He had finished with figures of six for 23 in his 10 overs. Tonight, it was 21-year-old RP Singh's turn to leave his imprint on the ground as he finished with four for 13 in his four overs.

India turned out some attacking fielding in support of the bowlers. It almost as if they were paying a tribute to the side's best fielder, Yuvraj Singh who was out of the game with a sore elbow. Karthik's catch at second slip to dismiss Graeme Smith was a stunner, flying to his left to get both his hands to the ball that was screaming past him.

Not long after, Rohit Sharma's fielding skills came to the fore. And it fetched him the man of the match award. Mark Boucher played RP Singh to the off side and set off for a single. The young Indian charged from his position on the 30-yard circle at cover, swooped on the ball and flicked it on to the stumps, catching the dangerous Justin Kemp short of his crease.

South Africa lost its way under the pressure that India mounted on it. And it was a pity that Shaun Pollock's efforts with the new ball earlier in the day went waste.He does not need much more to inspire him than a new white ball, a lively pitch and lights at his home turf, the Kingsmead Cricket Ground. The Indian cricketers have known this for a while but were served a reminder in a four-over spell.
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Pakinstan Wins Over Bangaladesh in Tense Moment

Cape Town: Cape Town: There were some nervous moments for Pakistan but they managed to keep their Super 8 slate clean by beating Bangladesh by four wickets at the Newlands cricket ground here on Thursday. Pakistan had already qualified for the semi-final stage of the ICC World Twenty20 Championship.

Chasing a small target of 141 runs, Pakistan made a bit of a heavy weather of the chase, losing wickets at regular intervals but in the end, Imran Nazir and Kamran Akmal did the finishing job with one over to spare.

Pakistan tried out a new opening combination on Thursday, getting Shahid Afridi to open with Nazir. While Afridi was reasonably successful, smashing 39 off just 15 balls with five fours and two sixes, Nazir had to retire hurt after just three balls. Nazir did come back after the fall of the fifth wicket and was unbeaten on 27.

For Bangladesh left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak was the best bowler on the park, taking two wickets for 16 runs in his four overs. Left-arm spinner Shakib al Hasan was steady, bowling his four overs for just 17 runs.

Mahmudullah bowled well for Bangladesh as well, taking one for 28 in his four overs.

Mohammed Hafeez and skipper Shoaib Malik made 23 and 21 respectively while Salman Butt, batting at number three, made 20 off 27 balls.

Earlier, Bangladesh lasted 19.4 overs thanks to opener Zunaed Siddique. After being asked to go in first, Bangladesh were bowled out for 140 runs.

The target for Pakistan was quite small but but it was refreshing to see a mature response from Bangladesh.

Most of the Bangladesh batters tried to take only the boom-boom route but Siddique, who made 71 runs off just 49 balls with six fours and three huge sixes, adopted a refreshingly different approach.

One could clearly see that he was trying to achieve the balance between attack and defense, which is the key to success in this format of the game. He was willing to stay at the wicket and defy the bowlers, which made all the difference.
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Pakistan Bowler restrict Bangladesh to 140 Runs

Cape Town: Bangladesh lasted 19.4 overs in their Super 8 clash against Pakistan at the Newlands cricket ground here on Thursday, and opener Zunaed Siddique was solely responsible for that. After being asked to go in first, Bangladesh were bowled out for 140 runs.

Pakistan will undoubtedly have the edge chasing a small target but it was refreshing to see a mature response from a Bangladesh batsman.

Most of the Bangladesh batters tried to take only the boom-boom route but Siddique, who made 71 runs off just 49 balls with six fours and three huge sixes, adopted a refreshingly different approach.

One could clearly see that he was trying to achieve the balance between attack and defense, which is the key to success in this format of the game. He was willing to stay at the wicket and defy the bowlers, which made all the difference.

While there were the usual big hits for sixes and fours, Siddique was a revelation as he did not ignore the ones and the twos. The next best came from Aftab Ahmed, who made 15.

To a large extent, Pakistan bowlers were clinical in their job. Barring Siddique, none of the Bangladesh batters were able to stand up to them. Mohammed Hafeez and skipper Shoaib Malik took two wickets each, while seamers Muhammed Asif, Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul claimed one wicket each.

There were as many as three run outs in the Bangladesh innings.

Bangladesh
Tamim Iqbal, Aftab Ahmed, Mohammad Ashraful (Captain), Shakib Al Hasan, Nadif Chowdhury, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mashrafe Mortaza, Syed Rasel, Abdur Razzak, Zunaed Siddique

Pakistan
Salman Butt, Imran Nazir, Younus Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik (Captain), Shahid Afridi, Misbah-ul-Haq, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Asif, Umar Gul, Sohail Tanvir

Officials
Mike Procter (match referee)
Ian Howell and Tony Hill
Asad Rauf (third)
Marais Erasmus (fourth)
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India-South Africa gears up for another intense contest

Durban: South Africa and India may have won intense games against New Zealand and England respectively on Wednesday but their ability to channelise emotions will be on test again when they come square up in the final group E game in the ICC World Twenty20 tournament at Kingsmed Cricket Ground on Thursday night.

More than the home side, India will be challenged to overcome the heady feeling of thumping England by 19 runs. India needs to keep its wits about itself and secure a victory over South Africa to guarantee itself a semifinal place, the margin determining whether it tops the table or finishes second. A South Africa win take New Zealand along to the semis and send India home.

The Indians, on a high last night after beating England comfortably, know that their task is cut out against South Africa's bowlers. The home side is well aware of the local conditions as it showed when stifling New Zealand after the Black Caps were off to a great start on Wednesday.

With the Indian bowlers being just a shade above adequate, the onus will be on the batters to deliver again if the team is to extend its stay in South Africa. Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir have batted really well in the last two games and Yuvraj showed his ominous touch in making a 12-ball 50.

Of the others, Robin Uthappa had one good knock against Pakistan while skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni knows that he has to lift the bar for himself and his team when gets to bat against South Africa which has a clutch of fastmedium bowlers who have all the ability to hit the deck and exploit the bounce that the Kingsmead pitch has offered the bowlers.

If Dhoni has not landed the big hits so far, South African captain Graeme Smith is also due a big score and, with his Nemesis Zaheer Khan missing from the Indian ranks, may breathe easy in his quest for that elusive knock. The Indian bowlers will be well aware of the big hitting Justin Kemp's skill in this format as also those of Herschelle Gibbs and Mark Boucher.

South Africa's allround superiority – and better fielding – will make it the favourite going into the match but the Indians know that they are within hailing distance of a semifinal place and can be expected to give the more experienced home side a run for its money. The good thing is that Dhoni has encouraged his players not to come under pressure in the run up to the game.

The teams:

South Africa (likely) Graeme Smith (captain), Herschelle Gibbs, AB de Villiers, Justin Kemp, Mark Boucher (wicket-keeper), Vernon Philander, Shaun Pollock, Johan van der Wath, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel and Andre Nel.

India (probable) Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain and wicket-keeper), Virender Sehwag, Gautham Gambhir, Robin Uthappa, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla, S Sreesanth and RP Singh.

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Aussies 10-wicket knockout punch to Sri Lankans

Cape Town: Adversity brings out the best in the Australians. Facing a knock-out game and without their skipper Ricky Ponting – officially recognised as the best player in the world – Australia responded in a manner only the world champions can.

Adam Gilchrist-led Australia knocked Sri Lanka out of the ICC World Twenty20 tournament by ten wickets at the Newlands cricket ground here on Thursday.

Chasing a measly target of 102 runs, openers Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden knocked off the formalities in just 10.2 overs as the world champions sail into the semis.

Hayden, bullying the bowling in his usual, inimitable manner, made an unbeaten 58 off 38 balls with seven fours and two sixes while his skipper was undefeated on 31 off 25 balls with four fours.

So severe was the hammering administered to the Sri Lankans that they looked like schoolboys lost on a huge University playground through the Australian innings.

In all fairness to the Lankan bowlers, there was really not much that they could have done with a score like that. It was only all about running up to the wicket, try and keep it in the right areas, and wait for the inevitable to happen.

In any case, Hayden and Gilchrist have far too much of batting class to let the Lankans go unpunished after their spineless display. The usual pulls and drives and slashes were out on display, with just a little touch of arrogance.

They toyed with the bowlers, really. If any bowler managed a few dot balls, the next delivery would just sail into one of the stands or crash into the hoardings. A completely one-sided contest!

Earlier, the Stuart Clark-Brett Lee combo bowled Sri Lankans out for 101 in 19.3 overs, which is sure to send a few shivers down the spines of some other teams.

Gilchrist, standing in for injured Ponting, chose to have a bowl and Lee struck in his first over itself, removing Sanath Jayasuriya for a duck. The Newlands pitch offered quite a bit of assistance to the seamers, and once 'Stuey' Clark arrived at the party, the Aussie fans gulped down their beers in glee.
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Yuvraj Sing hit Six Sixes as England Bowler was helpless

Durban: Indian vice-captain Yuvraj Singh has been living a nightmare ever since England allrounder Dmitri Mascarenhas clobbered him for five successive sixes in an over at the sixth ODI at the Oval. Many, by his own admissing, have been calling him to taunt him about the blitz that he was at the wrong end of.

Tonight, at the Kingsmead Cricket Ground, in the ICC World Twenty20 match against England, Yuvraj Singh found the perfect repartee for such callers by striking six massive sixes all over the ground off paceman Stuart Broad as he spurred India to a 19-run victory in the critical match. "God has answered my prayers but I feel sorry for Stuart," he said, savouring the double delight of the being the first to hit six sixes in an over in T20 and a fine India win.

"It was a great feeling to achieve this. I was the one who was hit for five sixes and I know it is horrible feeling at the end of the day. Obvioulsy, there are good days and there are bad. It was one of those days where he was at the wrong end," he said. "It is T20 and it can happen to anyone. It is just how the game is."

Yuvraj Singh said that a brief exchange with Andrew Flintoff charged him up a bit. "This is international cricket and these are a part of the game but he had charged me up and I wanted to give it back with the bat," he said. "We had two overs to go and had seven wickets in hand and I just wanted to play my shots. After the fourth I thought I could try a couple more if used the crease better."

None of the shot were pre-meditated. he said. "I was watching the ball off his hand and I just wanted to hit straight and I am glad I connected all six. He was looking for the yorker and I was able to make one a full toss and another a half-volley by using the crease. I guess I timed it right," he said.
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Zimbabwe Upset Mighty Australia In World Twenty20

Cape Town: Rusty and underdone Australia were embarrassed by the so-called minnows – Zimbabwe – by five wickets in their opening ICC World Twenty20 match at the Newlands cricket stadium here on Wednesday.

Chasing 139 to win, Zimbabwe achieved the target with one ball to spare, thanks to a valiant, unbeaten 60 off 45 balls by wicket-keeper and opening batsman Brandon Taylor.

In a match marked by inconsistent batting as well as the weather, the Zimbabwean fielding and spirit conquered everyone's hearts. In a heart-stopping final over bowled by Nathan Bracken, Zimbabwe needed 12 to win, with Taylor and Elton Chigumbura at the crease.

Taylor hit the first ball for four, reducing the deficit to eight, and when the fifth ball went for four leg byes, it was mayhem.

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting was an angry man, and he said he was "embarrassed" by the result. "There are not many moments when I walk off the park feeling like this. If we don't learn from this, we all are fools," he thundered.

A couple of quick wickets did peg Zimbabwe back and when the rain intervened, they were actually behind the asking rate according to the Duckworth-Lewis system. However, Taylor played exemplary cricket to pull off Zimbabwe's most amazing win in recent times.

Hamilton Masakadza supported Taylor well to make 27.

Left-arm seamer Mitchell Johnson bowled well for Australia , taking one wicket for 26 runs in his four overs and seamer Stuart Clark was very good, taking two for 22 in his four overs.

Earlier, the Zimbabwe bowlers, backed by their athletic and eager fielders, ran the mighty Australians ragged for most part of their 20.

Australia were restricted to 138 for nine. Brad Hodge and Andrew Symonds were the two batting heroes for Australia, with Hodge scoring an unbeaten 34 and Symonds making 33..

Ponting surprisingly chose to bat on a cloudy evening and soon paid the price. In the very first over itself, bowled by Elton Chigumbura, Matthew Hayden fell caught behind by wicket-keeper Taylor.

Hayden played an arrogant pull shot to the fence but there was surprise in store for those who thought the usual Australian dominance would kick start from there. The left-hander touched a wide delivery outside the off-stump and walked back to the pavilion.
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