0-2 off 0.1 overs: Nepal effect controversial timed out dismissal, national board apologises

Ritshi Choden becomes first woman to be timed out in international cricket

In an Asian Cricket Council Women’s Premier Cup game, Nepal were bowled out for 113 in 20 overs after Bhutan captain Anju Gurung won the toss and opted to field at the Kolej Tuanku Jaafar Cricket Oval in Mantin, Malaysia.

Sonam (3-12) and Tshering Zangmo (3-21) had reduced Nepal to 67-7 before Sita Rana Magar (37 in 28 balls) and Rubina Chhetry (24 in 21) pushed them past the three-figure mark.

Kabita Kunwar then yorked Bhutan opener, wicketkeeper Ngawang Choden, with the first ball of the innings. No.3 Rishi Choden was clearly not ready when she walked out after the dismissal, carrying her helmet and gloves. Upon reaching the crease, she proceeded to put these on.

At this point, the Nepal fielders appealed for timed out, and umpires Ankita Guha and Sun Meng Yao ruled the decision in their favour, leaving Bhutan two down for no score after only one ball of the innings. They eventually finished on 62-8. The only resistance coming from Dechen Wangmo, the other opener, who finished unbeaten on 39 from 60 balls.

Ritshi Choden thus became the first woman and third cricketer to be ruled timed out in international cricket, after Angelo Mathews and Godfred Bakiweyem. The Mathews dismissal, which took place at the World Cup, had drawn much attention; Bakiweyem was ruled out a mere 41 days after Mathews.

Timed out in international cricket

'The spirit of the game extends beyond written the Laws of Cricket'

Later in the day in a detailed release on social media, the Cricket Association of Nepal issued their “sincere apologies to Bhutan Cricket, the player concerned, and all stakeholders”.