The Nepal Cricket Association has apologized for a ‘timed-out’ request made by the Nepal women’s team during a match against Bhutan in the Women’s Premier Cup 20-20 cricket tournament in Malaysia.
The Bhutanese team entered the field to chase a target of 113 runs set by Nepal, when the unusual incident occurred after their first wicket fell with the first ball of the innings.
Bhutanese player Ritshi Choden, who entered the field after the first wicket fell, seemed unprepared and was seen running towards the boundary with her helmet in hand.
However, the Nepali players requested a ‘timed-out’ after she failed to play within the allotted time.
The umpires accepted the request, and Bhutan lost two wickets after the first ball.
Although the dismissal was valid under the laws of cricket, it was widely criticized as being against the spirit of the game.
In a statement after the match, the Nepal Cricket Association said that the incident did not reflect the values and spirit of cricket that its organization has always valued.
“While this dismissal was in accordance with the laws of cricket, we recognize that the spirit of the game goes beyond the written rules and must always be at the forefront of our conduct,” the statement said.
The Nepal Cricket Board, which apologized to the Bhutan Cricket Board, the player in question and all fans, added that it always stands for sportsmanship, mutual respect and fair play.
The Nepal team won the match, and at the end of 20 overs, the Bhutan team could only score 62 runs for the loss of 8 wickets.
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