Why Bhutan Lost to Bahrain in the 1st T20I of Bahrain Tour of Bhutan 2025: 3 Key Reasons Behind the Defeat

With optimism as always, when they stepped onto the ground for the 1st T20I, in Gelephu, Bhutan appeared to have a competitive advantage; however, by the end of 19.2 overs, 115 runs felt like a gracious gesture rather than a competitive total. Bahrain did not merely “run” after the total; instead, Bahrain strolled toward the total in 13.3 overs, lost only two wickets, and were never out of control of the game from the very first delivery. The loss was further disappointing because Bhutan had several high points, most notably Tenzin Wangchuk’s aggressive batting in the final overs of the game. However, since momentum is money in a T-20 match, Bhutan went broke at all the wrong times.

Early Batting Collapse Left Bhutan on the Back Foot

The early collapse of batting that saw the entire innings struggle to breathe was the main reason for Bhutan’s loss. Inside 1.1 overs, Bhutan had lost two wickets (openers) with Thinley Jamtsho going first at the fourth ball, followed by Namgay Thinley shortly after. Following this collapse, Bhutan’s kingdom never established stability. After his 10 off 19, Namgang Chejay continued to have trouble finding rhythm, as did the dependable Ranjung Mikyo Dorji, who fell for 13; the top four batsmen contributed only 30 runs between them, not enough to provide the foundation required for success in T20 cricket today. 

Asif Ali’s Dominance Flipped the Match

Bhutan finally had a glimmer of hope of trying to get something going for themselves, but it was all taken from them by one man, Asif Ali. The impact that Asif had on the game went far beyond simply winning the game for himself; he altered the course of the game. He scored an aggressive 58 off 40, with 5 fours and 4 sixes to completely remove any small chinks of light that Bhutan may have been able to find with the ball, after losing Prashant Kurup at 50/1. At this point, Asif continued to maintain a scoring rate of greater than eight runs an over, which denied Bhutan’s bowlers any opportunity to establish any sort of pressure. Although Bhutan did not bowl poorly (Sonam Yeshey was economical with 3-0-15-0) nor did they have many poor spells (Tenzin Wangchuk had his moments), there were no spells that could counteract the ability that Asif displayed in making shots. 

Fielding and Tactical Lapses Exposed Bhutan

The last nail was hammered home when Bhutan could not deal with pressure, as it showed in their poor fielding and questionable bowling options. Bahrain never had to be concerned about going through an extended period without scoring. Too many overs were given up to run, making boundaries in excess of runs conceded by Karma Dorji in his one over (19), Tashi Dorji’s two overs (23), and Ranjung Dorji’s one over (11). When you’re defending 115, giving away free runs is like donating money to your opponent. The fielding was not terrible; however, it was not good enough to provide opportunities for Bhutan. T20 cricket has always been a game where tightness can get the job done; however, Bhutan chose to ease up rather than tighten up in this match.

FAQs

What went wrong in Bhutan’s batting?

The top order collapsed early, forcing the rest to rebuild instead of scoring freely.

Who was the standout performer for Bahrain?

Asif Ali dominated with 58 off 40 and took two wickets, influencing both innings.

Why couldn’t Bhutan defend 115?

They leaked boundaries regularly and couldn’t apply enough sustained pressure with the ball or in the field.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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