![Nepal Women. [Source - @cricketnep/X]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1780645038763_NepalWomen.jpg?type=hq)
Nepal Women. [Source - @cricketnep/X]
The ACC Women's Premier Cup is underway in Malaysia from June 3, with 18 teams battling for continental supremacy in one of Asian cricket's biggest associate tournaments. Nepal, placed in Group D, have enjoyed a strong start to their campaign with consecutive victories.
Their latest win came against Bhutan, a result that further strengthened their position in the group standings. However, beyond the scoreline, an incident during the contest quickly became the talking point of the match and reignited a debate that has long divided opinions across the cricketing world.
Nepal Timed Out Bhutan Batter Ritshi Choden in Rare Dismissal
After restricting Nepal to 113 in the first innings, Bhutan's run chase got off to the worst possible start when opener Ngawang Choden was bowled off the very first ball of the innings. Ritshi Choden was next in, but she did not reach the crease in time.
Under the playing conditions, an incoming batter must be ready within two minutes of a wicket falling. Since Bhutan's Ritshi Choden was not prepared to take strike within that period, Nepal's players appealed for a timed out dismissal.
The umpires accepted the appeal and declared Ritshi Choden timed out. The rare dismissal left Bhutan at 0 for 2. However, despite the dismissal being completely legal under the playing conditions, Nepal later issued an apology following the controversy.
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Why Did Nepal Apologise After The Timed Out Dismissal?
Following the match, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) released an official statement apologising for the incident. The board acknowledged that the dismissal was carried out according to the laws of cricket and was completely legal.
Here is the official statement of CAN:
However, the association felt the situation went beyond just the rulebook. It said the spirit of cricket should remain at the heart of the game and that players must uphold those values whenever possible.
That is why Nepal's apology was not about breaking any rules. Instead, it was aimed at addressing the debate around sportsmanship, with the board believing the timed out dismissal did not reflect the image it wanted to project.
What Is Timed Out in Cricket?
Timed Out is one of cricket's rarest methods of dismissal. Under the laws and playing conditions, an incoming batter must be ready to face the next ball within a specified time after a wicket falls.
If the batter fails to reach the crease within that time limit, the fielding side can appeal. If the umpires accept the appeal, the batter can be given out without facing a ball.
The incident involving Bhutan Women and Nepal Women in ACC Women's Premier Cup has once again brought attention to this rare dismissal. While it was entirely legal, the debate that followed highlighted the ongoing divide in opinions on laws and spirit of cricket.
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