BHUTAN

Population: 716,896 (2012 est.)
Population (Aged 0-14): 28.4%
National Coach: Damber Singh Gurung
National Captain: Tshering Dorji
Women’s Captain: Ugyen Dema
Cricket teams: 75
Grounds: 2
Turf wickets: 0
Women’s cricket: Yes
Playing Season: September to May

ACC Member since 2001
ACC Development Officer: Rumesh Ratnayake

The 2013 Women's squad in Chiang Mai

Recent Achievements:

2009	Finalists, ACC Trophy Challenge and Winners, Spirit of Cricket Award
2010	Finalists, ACC U-19 Women’s Championship

Twelfth in ACC Rankings for 2011 and 2012 seasons
Tenth in ACC Rankings for 2009 and 2010 seasons

44th – 48th in ICC Global Rankings

Active personnel qualified from ACC Courses:

Coaches: Level I – 24, Level II – 7

Umpires: Level I – 10, Level II – 5

Curators: Module I – 4, Module II – 3, Module III – 3, Advanced – 2

Nestled as it is in the heart of the Himalayas, for centuries none but the most intrepid made it through the steep mountain passes to reach proudly independent Bhutan. Archery being the national sport guaranteed the country considerable protection against invaders. But the Bhutanese were helpless before the onslaught of electromagnetic waves carrying television signals.

Starting in 2001, Indian television started threading its way through the highlands and in its wake came an appreciation for movies, soap operas and cricket.

Out of a population of around 700,000, 5000 are active cricketers, with the numbers having risen 25% from 2011 to 2012. The biggest ground in the capital Thimphu (2.3 km above sea level) isn’t quite big enough for ICC-sanctioned cricket but serves its purpose in training the national senior and youth teams. They even play in the winter months, braving intermittent sleet and snow. Administrators are currently trying to maximize playing opportunities by taking the game south towards the plains and the Indian border, to take advantage of the land and climate more conducive to cricket than in Thimphu. Cricket is being taken to the schools and forms a fundamental part of the BCCB’s development program.

Wherever they are, wherever they play, the cricketers retain a unique Bhutanese flavour. All batsmen bow their heads in supplication to the cricketing gods before taking the field. “We do not pray for victory”, says national captain Damber Singh Gurung, “we pray for each other to give our best and to emerge complete from the competition.” The Dechephu Lhakhang yleshe in Thimphu is the spiritual home of Bhutan Cricket and cricketers visit before every tournament to invoke the protecting deities.

Finalists in recent ACC U-15 and U-19 Challenge Cups and Elite level contestants at senior level, with a women’s team that is also making strides, they show the virtues of good skills, sound technique and hunger for victory. Though they have struggled when they're playing bigger, faster, stronger opponents more versed in cricket, Bhutan are improving steadily.

Bhutan have played twice in the ICC World Cricket League, most recently at Division 8 in Western Samoa in September 2012.


The 2012 ACC Trophy Elite Squad in Dubai	The 2012 U-16 Squad in Chiang Mai	The Ugyen Academy Ground


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BHUTAN CRICKET COUNCIL BOARD
P.O. Box No. 1313, Thimphu, Bhutan
Phone : 00975-2-333186
Fax : 00975-2-333186
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Web: www.bhutancricket.org