The Cricket Association of Nepal expressed regret for the ‘timed out’ dismissal of a Bhutan batter during the ACC Women’s Premier Cup match on Thursday. Although the dismissal was in accordance with the rules, the association acknowledged that it did not align with the sporting spirit they aim to promote.
Ritshi Choden of Bhutan, batting at number three following the quick dismissal of Ngawang Choden, failed to reach the crease within the specified two-minute timeframe after the fall of the previous wicket. This led to Nepal’s players appealing for her dismissal, leaving Bhutan struggling at 0-2 while chasing a target of 114 in the T20 game. Bhutan could only manage 62-8 in their allotted 20 overs as Nepal secured their second consecutive victory in Group D at Mantin, Malaysia.
In a statement, the Cricket Association of Nepal expressed remorse for the incident, stating that it does not embody the cricketing values they strive to uphold. While acknowledging that the dismissal was lawful, the association emphasized the importance of upholding the spirit of the game beyond just adhering to the written laws.
The ‘timed out’ dismissal, a rare occurrence in cricket, has sparked debates on whether it goes against the essence of the sport to seek a player’s dismissal for breaching the strict two-minute time limit set by the ICC. Notably, Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews became the first player to be ‘timed out’ in international cricket during the 2023 50-over World Cup when his helmet strap broke, causing a delay as he awaited a replacement before batting against Bangladesh.
