Cricket Association of Nepal apologises after a timed-out dismissal sparks spirit of cricket debate
New Delhi, June 4
The Cricket Association of Nepal has issued a public apology after the women's team drew criticism for appealing a timed-out dismissal during an ACC Women's Premier Cup match against Bhutan in Malaysia.
The unusual incident occurred at the beginning of Bhutan's pursuit of 114 runs, shifting focus from the match to concerns about sportsmanship and the true spirit of the game.
Bhutan's innings got off to the worst possible start when opener Ngawana Choden was dismissed by the very first delivery. The drama intensified moments later as incoming batter Ritshi Choden hurried towards the middle but appeared unprepared to take a strike.
Television footage showed the batter carrying her helmet as she rushed onto the field. Before she could settle at the crease, Nepal's players approached the umpires and lodged an appeal. Following a discussion between the officials and the fielding side, the appeal was upheld, resulting in a timed-out dismissal.
"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 the Cricket Association of Nepal strives to uphold. On behalf of the Cricket Association of Nepal, 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 recognise that the spirit of the game extends beyond the written laws and must remain central to our conduct at all times.
"As a developing cricketing nation, we place the utmost importance on sportsmanship, mutual respect, and fair play. We acknowledge that this incident has fallen short of those standards and regret any disappointment it may have caused. We convey our sincere apologies to Bhutan Cricket, the player concerned, and all relevant stakeholders. CAN remains firmly committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and the spirit of cricket, both on and off the field," the Cricket Association of Nepal said in a statement.
The decision, while permitted under the Laws of Cricket, immediately became a talking point due to the circumstances surrounding the wicket. Nepal's players celebrated the dismissal, while the incident sparked debate among fans and observers over whether the appeal aligned with the game's broader values.
The controversy eventually overshadowed the result itself. Bhutan struggled throughout their innings and finished on 62 for 8 from 20 overs, with two wickets having fallen after just one delivery of the chase. In the aftermath, CAN moved swiftly to distance itself from the episode and acknowledged that the action did not reflect the standards it seeks to promote.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Look, it's within the laws, but that doesn't mean it's right. These are associate nations trying to grow the game. When you see a player rushing in with her helmet still in hand, you know it's not intentional delay. Nepal's players got a bit too competitive there. Good to see the board acknowledged it quickly.
Honestly, I'm torn. On one hand, rules are rules and Nepal played smart. But on the other hand, this is the kind of thing that puts young players off. Bhutan's batter was clearly not trying to waste time – she just dropped her helmet! CAN did the right thing apologising. Let's focus on playing hard but fair.
Big fan of how CAN handled this. Immediate apology shows they understand what matters. Nepal vs Bhutan is not the Ashes – this is about building bridges. The players probably got caught up in the heat of the moment, but the board's statement was classy. Hope both teams move on and focus on growing the sport together. 🙏
I get the apology, but let's not forget that cricket is a competitive sport. If you're not ready, you're out. India's players would have done the same in a high-pressure game. But yeah, for a tournament like this, maybe a bit of leniency would have been better. Still, good on Nepal for acknowledging the sentiment.
Heartwarming to see CAN apologise. These small moments define the spirit of the game more than big wins. The batter was rushing, clearly not intentionally delaying. Nepal could have just had a word with the umpire but chose to appeal
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