Historic Bowling Feat in Gelephu
Bhutan’s 22-year-old left-arm spinner Sonam Yeshey etched his name into the record books by becoming the first bowler in men’s T20 International history to claim eight wickets in a single innings . The extraordinary performance came during the third T20I against Myanmar at Gelephu , producing one of the most dominant bowling spells ever seen in the shortest format of the game.
Match-Winning Spell Against Myanmar
Yeshey returned astonishing figures of 8 for 7 in four overs , including a maiden, at a remarkable economy rate of 1.80 . His spell completely shattered Myanmar’s batting lineup as they were dismissed for just 45 runs in 9.2 overs while chasing Bhutan’s total of 127. Bhutan won the match by 82 runs , taking an unassailable 3–0 lead in the five-match series.
Breaking Long-Standing Records
Before Yeshey’s achievement, the best bowling figures in men’s T20Is were seven wickets in an innings . Malaysia’s Syazrul Idrus had taken 7 for 8 against China in 2023, while Bahrain’s Ali Dawood recorded 7 for 19 against Bhutan in 2025. By surpassing this mark, Yeshey set a new global benchmark in T20 cricket.
Emerging Star of Bhutan Cricket
Born on December 3, 2003 , Yeshey progressed through Bhutan’s Under-19 setup and made his senior international debut in July 2022 . A slow left-arm orthodox spinner , he has been a standout performer in the series, taking 12 wickets in four matches . Overall, he has collected 37 wickets in 34 T20Is at an average of 17.37 .
Significance for Associate Nations
Yeshey’s record-breaking spell underscores the growing competitiveness of associate cricket nations . Such performances enhance Bhutan’s international profile and demonstrate the expanding depth and global reach of modern cricket.
Important Facts for Exams
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Eight wickets in a men’s T20I innings is a world record
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Bhutan and Myanmar are ICC associate members
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T20 Internationals consist of 20 overs per side
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Slow left-arm orthodox is a classical spin bowling style
Month: Current Affairs - December 29, 2025
Category: Sports | Cricket Records