In a moment that has rewritten the record books of international cricket, Bhutan's young spinner Sonam Yeshey achieved what no bowler had ever done before. On Friday, the left-arm orthodox bowler became the first player in history to claim an eight-wicket haul in a men's T20 International match.
A Spell for the Ages in Gelephu
The historic feat occurred during the third T20I of a five-match series between Bhutan and Myanmar in Gelephu. Defending a target of 128 runs, the 22-year-old unleashed a devastating spell of slow left-arm bowling that completely dismantled the Myanmar batting lineup. Yeshey's final figures were a magical 8 wickets for just 7 runs from his full quota of four overs, which included a maiden over.
His economy rate was a staggering 1.80, demonstrating not just wicket-taking prowess but also immense control. The performance propelled Bhutan to a crushing 82-run victory, bowling Myanmar out for a paltry 45 runs in just 9.2 overs. The win also secured an unassailable 3-0 lead for Bhutan in the series.
Breaking a Long-Standing Barrier
Before Yeshey's heroics, the best bowling figures in men's T20 Internationals stood at seven wickets. This record was jointly held by Malaysia's Syazrul Idrus, who took 7 for 8 against China in 2023, and Bahrain's Ali Dawood, who claimed 7 for 19 against Bhutan earlier in 2025.
Remarkably, no bowler in all recorded men's T20 cricket history—spanning domestic leagues and internationals—had ever taken more than seven wickets in a single innings. This makes Yeshey's achievement truly unprecedented and a landmark moment for the sport's shortest format.
The Rise of Sonam Yeshey
Born on December 3, 2003, Sonam Yeshey has been a rising star in Bhutanese cricket. He honed his skills in the national under-19 setup before making his senior international debut in July 2022 against Malaysia.
A right-handed batter and a slow left-arm orthodox spinner by trade, Yeshey has shown remarkable consistency. In the ongoing series against Myanmar, he has been in stellar form, picking up 12 wickets from just four matches. Since his T20I debut, he has taken 37 wickets in 34 matches at an average of 17.37 and an economy rate of 5.69, cementing his place as a key player for his nation.
The Bhutan Cricket board was quick to celebrate the milestone, hailing the performance on social media as "a spell for the ages." This record-breaking achievement not only highlights individual brilliance but also shines a spotlight on the growing competitive spirit in associate nation cricket.
