CAN apologizes for ‘timed out’ incident in Nepal vs Bhutan match

KATHMANDU: The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has issued an official apology following controversy surrounding a rare ‘timed out’ dismissal involving the Nepal women’s national team during their match against Bhutan in the ACC Women’s Premier Cup.

In a statement released on Thursday, CAN Secretary Paras Khadka acknowledged that the incident did not reflect the values and spirit of cricket the governing body aims to uphold.

“The timed out dismissal of the Bhutanese batter in today’s match does not reflect the spirit and cricketing values that the Cricket Association of Nepal seeks to embody,” the statement read.

CAN clarified that while the dismissal was carried out in accordance with the Laws of Cricket, the spirit of the game goes beyond written rules and must always be guided by fairness, respect, and sportsmanship. The board also expressed regret if the incident caused disappointment to players, officials, or fans, and extended an apology to the Bhutan Cricket community and the affected player.

The incident occurred during the ACC Women’s Premier Cup match between Nepal and Bhutan, where Bhutan were chasing a target of 114 runs. The controversy unfolded when Bhutan’s No. 3 batter, Ritshi Choden, failed to reach the crease within the 90-second limit after the fall of the previous wicket.

Nepal fielders appealed for a ‘timed out’ dismissal under the rules, which the on-field umpire subsequently upheld, sparking discussion over the application of the rule in international women’s cricket.

CAN emphasized that Nepal remains in a developing stage of cricket and reaffirmed its commitment to prioritizing sportsmanship, mutual respect, and fair play in future matches.