Sonam Yeshey Makes History with Record-Breaking Performance in T20I Series
Historic Achievement for Bhutan in T20I Series
On December 26, Bhutan's spinner Sonam Yeshey achieved a remarkable milestone during the third T20I of the five-match series against Myanmar. Bhutan completed a clean sweep, winning all five matches and showcasing dominance in both batting and bowling throughout the series.
In the final match, Bhutan secured an impressive 84-run victory over Myanmar. They set a target of 139 runs, bolstered by Tenjin Rabgey's outstanding half-century (74 runs off 56 balls). Myanmar struggled, managing only 55 runs for 8 wickets in their 20 overs, with Ko Ko Lin Thu being the top scorer at 24 runs off 39 balls. The rest of the batting lineup faltered, with Khin Aye contributing the second-highest score of just 8 runs.
Sonam Yeshey's Record-Breaking Feat
With Bhutan's triumph in the series, Sonam Yeshey etched his name in T20I history. In the third match, the 22-year-old bowler made headlines by becoming the first player to take 8 wickets in a T20I match. He dismantled the Myanmar batting order, leading to their collapse for a mere 45 runs, thus sealing the series for Bhutan.
Yeshey's exceptional performance included figures of 8 wickets for just 7 runs in 4 overs, maintaining an economy rate of 1.80. The previous record for the most wickets in a single T20I match was held by Malaysian bowler Syazrul Idrus and Bahraini bowler Ali Dawood, both of whom took 7 wickets.
Setting New Standards in T20I Bowling
Sonam Yeshey's remarkable figures of 8/7 in four overs not only set a new record in T20I cricket but also surpassed all previous performances in both domestic and international matches, establishing a new benchmark for bowlers in this format.
Yeshey was the standout performer in the T20I series against Myanmar, finishing with a total of 13 wickets at an average of 4.85, conceding only 63 runs across 18 overs in five matches.
Who is Sonam Yeshey?
Sonam Yeshey gained recognition for his record-setting performance against Myanmar, but he has been a consistent performer in Bhutan cricket for several years. He previously represented Bhutan in U19 cricket before joining the senior team in 2022.
Over the last three years, Yeshey has become a reliable bowler for Bhutan, consistently delivering match-winning performances in T20Is. Although Bhutan has yet to establish a regular ODI schedule, his contributions in T20 cricket have made him a vital player for the national team.
Currently, Yeshey leads Bhutan in T20I wickets with 38 scalps, including a four-wicket haul and a five-wicket haul, boasting an average of 17.11 and an economy rate of 5.55 over 35 matches. His 13 wickets in the recent series against Myanmar have propelled him past Tenzin Wangchuk's previous record of 33 wickets in 36 matches, making him Bhutan's all-time leading wicket-taker in T20Is.
At just 22 years old, Sonam Yeshey has already become a cornerstone of Bhutan's bowling lineup, showcasing consistency, skill, and the ability to deliver match-winning performances, thereby setting new standards for the team in T20Is.