Bhutan’s Sonam Yeshey Makes History with 8 Wickets in 4 Overs in T20 Cricket

Gelephu: Bhutan’s 22-year-old left-arm spinner Sonam Yeshey has etched his name in cricket history by becoming the first bowler ever to take 8 wickets in a single T20 match. The remarkable feat came during the third T20 International of the series against Myanmar in Gelephu, where Yeshey dismantled the opposition for just 45 runs, finishing with 8 wickets for 7 runs in 4 overs.

A New Benchmark in T20 Bowling
Before this, the best bowling performance in T20 cricket was held by Malaysia’s Sizarul Idros, who took 7 wickets for 8 runs against China in 2023. Yeshey’s record-breaking spell now sets a new benchmark in T20 cricket history, surpassing all previous achievements across domestic, league, and international levels.

Match Recap
Bhutan posted 127 runs for 9 wickets in their 20 overs. While chasing, Myanmar’s batting lineup was decimated by Yeshey’s spin magic. His incredible 4-over spell led to a complete collapse of Myanmar’s innings, securing a dominant victory for Bhutan. Over the series so far, Yeshey has taken 12 wickets in 4 matches, with the fifth and final match scheduled for today, December 29.

A Rising Star
Sonam Yeshey made his international debut for Bhutan in July 2022 against Malaysia, claiming 3 wickets for 16 runs at the age of 18. Since then, he has been a consistent wicket-taker and now has 37 wickets in 34 T20I matches, underlining his growing stature in international cricket.

Context of T20 Bowling Records
In men’s T20 cricket history, only four bowlers have previously taken 7 wickets in an innings. Yeshey’s 8-wicket haul now stands unmatched. In women’s T20 cricket, the record has been 7 wickets in a match, achieved seven times, with Rohmalia of Indonesia taking 7 wickets for 0 runs against Mongolia in 2024, the best-ever in women’s cricket.

Conclusion
Sonam Yeshey’s spell is a historic moment not only for Bhutan but for the entire world of T20 cricket. At just 22, he has set a record that will inspire future generations and raise expectations for extraordinary bowling performances in the T20 format.