In the second game of the day in Group A off the ACC T20 Men’s Challenger Cup between Indonesia and Bhutan, Bhutan have won the toss and elected to field. It was a close match all afternoon long with each side looking set for victory but in the end Indonesia won by 16 runs to join Saudi Arabia on two points in Group
Indonesia’s openers looked impressive as Gede Priandana and Anjar Tadaras both found the boundary during the powerplay but Bhutan claimed their first wicket with the score on 34 and Indonesia were 38 for 1 after 6 overs.
Four overthrows helped the total mount and another boundary brought up the fifty in the eighth over. Anjar Tadaras hit the first six of the innings as Indonesia were 66 for one at the halfway stage.
Tadaras was out soon afterwards run out for 36 and Ramamoorthy also played an attractive innings of 31 with two sixes. Indonesia’s innings began to stall as Bhutan fought back with Tenzin Wangchuk taking 3 for 22.
23 runs came off the last two overs to take the total to 132 for 7 and this was to prove crucial. Bhutan had been set a target of 133 in 20 overs so both sides would have fancied their chances.
Bhutan made a slow start against some useful seam bowling. Jigme Dorji hit a pair of fours but partner Tenjin Rabhey struggled. It was Dorji who skied to mid-off on 17 as Bhutan were 24 for one after six overs.
Ferdinando Banunaek took his second wicket as he bowled Rabgey for 8 and Bhutan were struggling on 32 for 2 after 8 overs.
Bhutan began to fight back as Suprit Pradhan hit 28 from 20 balls and Thinley Jamtsho strode to the crease and hit three fours and a six in his 23 off 11 when he was caught at long-off as he attempted another big shot.
Indonesia finally beat Bhutan by 16 runs as five wickets fell in the last two overs as Bhutan tried to make the 23 runs needed but were bowled out for 116. Indonesia now stand in second place in the table behind Saudi Arabia who won the morning match by 88 runs.
Anjar Tadaras was named player of the match for his 36 from 29 balls but at one stage Bhutan captain Thinley Jamtsho looked to have the match in his grasp with 23 off 11 balls.