Bhutan established themselves as tournament favourites with a –run victory over China in the opening Group B match of the U-15 Challenge Cup.

Put into bat in the idyllic setting of the Gymkhana Ground at Chiang Mai, Bhutan were in the ascendancy from the start. Little Sushil Sharma and his opening partner Dechen Wangchuk set the foundations for an imposing total with their opening stand of 80 in 16 overs. China's bowling was regulation line-and-length but Bhutan's batsmen manufactured shots and looked for singles at every opportunity in an attempt to disrupt the bowlers' rhythm.

China's Li Jian is bowled by Bhutan's Dilip Subba

Sharma had been under some pressure coming into this match – his parents and coaches had insisted he pass his exams before he could come on this tour. He did.

Bhutan's Sushil Sharma

China were inconsistent in the field, three run-outs and whole-hearted chases to the boundary showed they were keen, but five dropped catches and a general flatness to their demeanour showed they were too keen to hand the initiative to Bhutan.

After Sharma's departure Jigme Singye and the middle order pressed on, Singye making a classy 39 and Sherab Jamtsho smacking 26 off just 12 deliveries at the end of the innings to take Bhutan to 243 off their 40 overs.

Bhutan were positive in their batting and positive on the field too. The fielders were voluble and were constantly encouraging. their new-ball bowlers Dilip Subba and Dorji Wangchuk. Subba and Wangchuk found swing and bounce and were too much for China's batsmen. Only Li Jian offered any kind of resistance with two hits over the top, one of which went for 4.

China's executioners: Bhutan's captain Jigme Singye (in sunglasses) and Dilip Subba

Extras were top score for China with 22, as they were bowled out for 43 in the 16th over.

"We take every ACC match seriously," said Bhutan's coach, Damber Singh. "The boys all did well today but there is still much we can get better at." With three front-line batsmen waiting to join the team at the semi-final stage, after they complete their school exams in Bhutan, their opponents had better be wary.

Some pictures courtesy of Eric Little.

Bhutan v China at Chiang Mai Gymkhana
BHUTAN WON BY 200 RUNS
China won the toss and elected to field
Bhutan: 243 for 9 (S. Sharma 48, J. Singye 39; D. Jongli 3-48, Y. Haiming 3-53)
China: 43 off 15.3 overs (D. Subra 4-11)
Man of the Match: Dilip Subba (Bhutan)

Scorecard

Filed December 08 2007