Bhutan’s Sonam Yeshey sets world record with eight-wicket haul in T20I

Bhutan spinner Sonam Yeshey has etched his name into the record books after becoming the first bowler to take eight wickets in a men’s T20 International match.

The 22-year-old left-arm spinner achieved the historic feat during the third T20I against Myanmar in Gelephu Mindfulness City on 26 December.

According to ESPNCricinfo, Yeshey returned remarkable figures of 8 for 7 from four overs, dismantling Myanmar’s batting line-up and bowling them out for just 45 while chasing Bhutan’s total of 127 for 9.

Bhutan Cricket hailed the performance on social media, describing it as “a spell for the ages” and confirming it as a world record.

No bowler had previously taken eight wickets in any T20 match, either at international or domestic level.

The previous best figures in men’s T20 Internationals were held by Malaysia pacer Syazrul Idrus, who claimed 7 for 8 against China in 2023.

Only one other player, Bahrain’s Ali Dawood, has taken seven wickets in a T20I this year, returning figures of 7 for 19 against Bhutan. In domestic T20 cricket, Netherlands all-rounder Colin Ackermann (7 for 18 for Leicestershire in 2019) and Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed (7 for 19 earlier this year) are the only other bowlers to have achieved seven-wicket hauls.

Yeshey’s performance is being widely regarded as one of the most extraordinary bowling displays in the history of the T20 format.