Bhutan’s young left-arm spinner Sonam Yeshley etched his name into cricket history with a spell that has never been seen before in T20 Internationals. The 22-year-old became the first bowler ever to claim eight wickets in a single T20I match, delivering the best figures recorded in the format.
Playing against Myanmar, Yeshley dismantled the batting lineup with remarkable control and variation, finishing with astonishing figures of 8 for 7 in his four-over spell. His dominance with the ball led to Myanmar being bowled out for just 45 runs, setting up a crushing 81-run win for Bhutan. The performance not only highlighted Yeshley’s skill but also showcased Bhutan’s growing presence on the international cricket stage.
“History made! Bhutan’s Sonam Yeshley rewrites the record books with a world record bowling spell. The left-arm orthodox magician claimed 8/7 in 4 overs against Myanmar today. @ICC,” the official handle of Bhutan Cricket wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Series Domination And Place In Record Books
Yeshley’s record-breaking outing was the standout moment of a one-sided series in which Bhutan secured a clean 5-0 sweep. Across the series, the left-arm spinner collected 13 wickets, repeatedly troubling opposition batters and setting the tone for Bhutan’s success. His eight-wicket haul also placed him above a very exclusive list, as only six bowlers before him had managed to take seven wickets in a T20I.
In women’s cricket, Indonesia’s Rohmalia holds the best figures of 7 for 0 against Mongolia in 2024, while in men’s cricket, Malaysia’s Syazrul Idrus previously led the charts with figures of 7 for 8 against China. Yeshley’s performance has now set a new benchmark that may stand for years to come.
Career Journey And Key Statistics
Sonam Yeshley first made an impression in international cricket during his T20I debut in 2022 against Malaysia, where he picked up three wickets. Since then, his rise has been steady and consistent. In 35 T20I matches, he has taken 38 wickets at an impressive average of 17.10, with a strike rate of 18.4 and an economy rate of just 5.5.
While primarily known for his bowling, Yeshley has also contributed with the bat, scoring 37 runs in the format, with a highest score of 11 not out against Myanmar in 2023. Among the best bowling figures in men’s T20Is, his 8 for 7 now stands above Syazul Idrus’ 7 for 8 against China, Ali Dawood’s 7 for 19 against Bhutan, Harsha Bharadwaj’s 6 for 3 against Mongolia, and Peter Aho’s 6 for 5 against Sierra Leone.
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