Bhutan cricketer Ritshi Choden made history for an unfortunate reason, becoming the first woman batter to be timed out in international cricket. The incident occurred during Bhutan's run chase against Nepal in the ACC Premier Cup in Malaysia.
How the Dismissal Happened
After opener Ngawang Choden was dismissed on the very first ball, Ritshi Choden took more than 90 seconds to reach the crease. Under cricket laws, batters must be ready to face the next delivery within that time limit. Nepal appealed, and the umpires upheld the decision. Choden, who arrived carrying her helmet and gloves, spoke briefly with the umpire before being informed she was out. She left the field without protest, leaving Bhutan at 0 for 2 after just one delivery.
Nepal's Apology
Although the dismissal was within the rules, Nepal's cricket board later apologized, stating it did not reflect the values they wish to promote. The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) said: "The incident involving the timed-out dismissal of a Bhutanese batter during today's match does not reflect the values and spirit of cricket that CAN strives to uphold." The board added: "On behalf of CAN, we extend our sincere apologies for the actions of our Women's National Team in this matter. While the dismissal was effected within the Laws of Cricket, we recognize that the spirit of the game extends beyond the written laws and must remain central to our conduct at all times."
Impact on the Match
The early setback hurt Bhutan badly, and they never recovered in their chase of 114. They eventually lost by 51 runs. The victory moved Nepal to the top of Group D with two wins from two matches, while Bhutan remained winless after two games.
