Bhutan's national women's cricket team continues to pursue its first victory in the inaugural Bhutan-Myanmar Women's T20I Bilateral Series 2024, currently taking place at the Gelephu International Cricket Ground. With Myanmar claiming three straight wins, the series was officially clinched by the visitors on December 24. Nevertheless, Bhutan has two matches remaining today and tomorrow to seek redemption.
During the third match held on December 24, Myanmar outperformed Bhutan, achieving victory by 25 runs. Myanmar managed to score 103 runs over 20 overs, losing eight wickets. Bhutan, unfortunately, fell short, tallying only 78 runs after 18.4 overs. Zarli Win from the Myanmar team was honored as the 'Player of the Match' due to her stellar performance, scoring 15 runs off 22 balls and taking three important wickets during her four-over spell.
The second match of the series took place on December 22, where Myanmar edged out Bhutan by three wickets. Despite Bhutan exhibiting strong gameplay, Myanmar's composed and strategic batting paved the way for their success. Earlier, the opening match on December 21 saw Myanmar narrowly win by two wickets.
Dechen Wangmo, Bhutan's captain, shared her optimism about the remaining matches, stating, "The opponents are slightlybetter than us in batting, but not technically. They know how to adapt to the game situation. Our players struggle to handle game pressure." She highlighted the need for Bhutan to improve their batting and fielding skills to contend effectively.
Bhutan's team prepared extensively for this series, with three weeks of training leading up to their matches. While Dechen Wangmo acknowledged some improvements compared to their previous games, the overall performance has not met the mark for securing wins against their opponents. Currently, Myanmar holds the 43rd global ranking, just above Bhutan, which is ranked 46th. The closely ranked nature of the teams adds more intensity to the competition.
The Bilateral Series serves as a platform for the players to gain international exposure, showcasing their skills on a bigger stage, which is immensely beneficial for their growth. It also emphasizes the importance of fostering friendship between Bhutan and Myanmar through the shared love of cricket, which could lead to more collaborative opportunities between the two nations.
Looking forward, both teams remain hopeful with their eyes set on personal milestones as well as team accomplishments. Players from both sides look to not only improve their individual skills but also contribute to the development of women’s cricket within their respective countries.
With the series still offering two more opportunities for Bhutan to secure victory, the stakes remain high. Fans and supporters eagerly await the upcoming matches, hoping to witness significant improvements and potential wins for the home team.
