Cricket Highlights, December 11: Bahrain tour of Bhutan 2025 (3rd T20I) – BHR vs BHU

BHR vs BHU (8th Match) – Highlights

 

On a chilly Gelephu afternoon, Bahrain produced a commanding all-round performance to defeat Bhutan by 35 runs in the 3rd T20I and wrap up the series with authority. The match will be remembered for one headline above all: the extraordinary spell from Ali Dawood, whose 7 for 19 cut through Bhutan’s chase like a precision blade. In a format built on batting chaos, Dawood brought back the lost art of controlled destruction with the ball.

 

BHR innings was anchored by a classy, well-paced 72 off 48 from opener Asif Ali. It was the kind of knock that never looked rushed but kept the scoreboard alive at all times. His boundary control, especially against pace, ensured BHR stayed on top during the power play. Prashant Kurup played the stabilizer’s role with 28 off 29, allowing Asif to take calculated risks. When Fiaz Ahmed joined the act with 33 off 26, Bahrain’s innings found late energy, pushing them to a competitive 160 for 4 on a surface that was gripping enough to trouble most batting units.

 

Bhutan’s bowlers had moments but lacked consistency. Jigme Singye and Namgay Thinley bowled the most controlled spells, while Sonam Yeshey kept things tight in the middle overs. However, Bahrain’s top order managed the conditions smartly, refusing to let pressure pile up for too long. The total of 160 felt above par, given the track’s slowish character.

 

BHU chase got off to a nightmare start, and from there the innings never truly recovered. Three wickets fell inside the first three overs, courtesy of disciplined lines and smart variations, particularly from Imran Anwar and Ali Dawood. With the scoreboard reading 11 for 3, the hosts were immediately pushed into survival mode rather than chase mode.

 

Tshering Tashi and Ranjung Mikyo Dorji stitched together the only meaningful partnership of the innings. Tshering’s 38 off 37 offered stability, while Dorji’s 37 off 34 brought a sense of possibility to an otherwise collapsing chase. Their measured shot selection momentarily halted Bahrain’s momentum, but the required rate continued to climb.

 

Then came the decisive burst. Ali Dawood returned and dismantled Bhutan’s middle and lower order with ruthless precision. His spell blended full-length swing, seam movement, and deceptive change-ups. BHU lost six wickets for 22 runs in a dramatic collapse that sealed the contest. Thinley Jamtsho’s brief 14 off 6 was the only late spark, but by then the match was firmly in Bahrain’s hands.

 

Bhutan eventually crawled to 125 for 9, well short of the target. Bahrain’s discipline, depth, and Dawood’s brilliance were too much for the hosts. With this win, Bahrain not only claimed the match but also reinforced their upward trajectory as a competitive associate side capable of dominating conditions and moments under pressure.

 

Bahrain vs Bhutan Scoreboard

 

Bahrain – 160/4 (20)

Bhutan – 125/9 (20)

Result – Bahrain won by 35 runs

Player of the Match – Ali Dawood