Nepal Cricket Association Apologizes for Controversial Dismissal in Women's T20 Match

The Cricket Association of Nepal has publicly apologized for a controversial dismissal during a women's T20 match against Bhutan. The incident, involving a timed-out dismissal, has raised questions about sportsmanship and the spirit of cricket. CAN emphasized the importance of mutual respect and fair play, acknowledging that their actions did not reflect these values. This rare occurrence marks a significant moment in women's cricket, as it highlights the balance between adhering to the laws of the game and maintaining the integrity of the sport. Read on to discover more about this incident and its implications for cricket.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 4, 2026, 17:44 IST

Nepal's Women's Team Faces Backlash Over Dismissal Incident

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has expressed regret regarding the actions of their women's cricket team during a match against Bhutan at the ACC Women's T20 Premier Cup, a qualifying event for the 2026 Asian Games. This match took place on June 4 at the Kolej Tuanku Ja'Afar ground in Malaysia. The governing body issued a formal apology to Bhutan Cricket and the affected player following a controversial dismissal.

The incident revolved around Ritshi Choden, who was expected to bat at number three but failed to arrive on the field in time. The Nepalese players appealed to the umpires, leading to the decision that declared the Bhutan batter out. According to the MCC Laws of Cricket, a player must be ready to bat within three minutes of a dismissal. Law 40.1.1 states, 'After the fall of a wicket or the retirement of a batter, the incoming batter must, unless Time has been called, be ready to receive the ball within 3 minutes of the dismissal or retirement. If this requirement is not met, the incoming batter will be out, Timed out.'

Despite the dismissal being within the laws, the Nepal cricket board emphasized that the essence of cricket transcends these rules, highlighting the importance of sportsmanship and mutual respect. In their statement, CAN said, 'The incident involving the timed-out dismissal of a Bhutanese batter does not reflect the values and spirit of cricket that we uphold. We sincerely apologize for our Women’s National Team's actions in this matter. While the dismissal adhered to the Laws of Cricket, we recognize that the spirit of the game must always be prioritized.'

CAN further acknowledged that as a developing cricketing nation, they value sportsmanship and fair play highly. They expressed regret for any disappointment caused by the incident and reiterated their commitment to maintaining integrity and the spirit of cricket both on and off the field.

This incident marks a rare occurrence in women's international cricket, being the first of its kind, and only the second instance of a timed-out dismissal in women's T20 matches, following a similar case involving Anna Lewis last year. In men's international cricket, such dismissals have occurred only twice, once in ODIs and once in T20Is, with the first instance happening in 2023 when Ghana's Godfred Bakiweyem was dismissed against Sierra Leone, and the second during the 2023 Cricket World Cup when Sri Lanka's Angelo Matthews faced a similar fate against Bangladesh.