Bhutan spinner Sonam Yeshey created history with an incredible bowling performance in the T20I of the ongoing five-match series against Myanmar. The left-arm spinner took eight wickets in the match, something no bowler had ever done before in T20 cricket, making it a landmark moment for Bhutan.
After being asked to bat first, Bhutan posted a total of 127 runs in 20 overs at the Gelephu International Cricket Ground on December 26. Bhutan’s bowlers then ran through the Myanmar batting line-up, dismissing them for just 45 in 9.2 overs. They secured a convincing 82-run win in the one-sided contest.
Bhutan Spinner Sonam Yeshey Claims World-Record Best T20I Bowling Figures
Sonam Yeshey produced a stunning spell of bowling while defending the target. The 22-year-old left-arm spinner finished with incredible figures of 8 for 7 from his four overs. He registered a new world record in T20 international cricket.
With this performance, Yeshey broke the previous best in the format, which was held by Syazrul Idrus, who had taken 7 for 8 against China in 2023. No bowler had ever taken eight wickets in a T20 match before, either in international or domestic cricket.
Before Yeshey’s spell, only two players, including Syazrul Idrus and Ali Dawood, had managed seven wickets in a men’s T20I. Even in domestic T20 cricket, seven-wicket hauls have been extremely rare.
Best Bowling Figures in a T20I Innings:
| Player | Overs | Figures | Team | Opposition | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonam Yeshey | 4.0 | 8/7 | Bhutan | Myanmar | 26 Dec 2025 |
| Syazrul Idrus | 4.0 | 7/8 | Malaysia | China | 26 Jul 2023 |
| Ali Dawood | 4.0 | 7/19 | Bahrain | Bhutan | 11 Dec 2025 |
| Harsh Bharadwaj | 4.0 | 6/3 | Singapore | Mongolia | 5 Sep 2024 |
| Peter Aho | 3.4 | 6/5 | Nigeria | Sierra Leone | 24 Oct 2021 |
| Deepak Chahar | 3.2 | 6/7 | India | Bangladesh | 10 Nov 2019 |
Only two bowlers have taken seven-wicket hauls in men’s T20 internationals. Syazrul Idrus claimed 7 for 8 for Malaysia against China in 2023, while Ali Dawood took 7 for 19 for Bahrain against Bhutan in 2025.
Outside international cricket, the feat has also been achieved twice. Colin Ackermann took 7 for 18 for Leicestershire against Birmingham Bears in 2019, and Taskin Ahmed recorded 7 for 19 for Durbar Rajshahi against Dhaka Capitals in 2025.
In women’s T20Is, Rohmalia recorded figures of 7 for 0 for Indonesia against Mongolia in 2024. Only three other women have taken seven wickets in a T20I: Frederique Overdijk (7 for 3 vs France), Alison Stocks (7 for 3 vs Peru), and Samanthi Dunukedeniya (7 for 15 vs Czech Republic).
Who Is Sonam Yeshey?
Sonam Yeshey is a 22-year-old left-arm orthodox spinner from Bhutan, born on December 3, 2003. He has represented Bhutan exclusively in T20 internationals and has become a regular member of the national side in the shortest format.
He made his T20I debut in July 2022 against Malaysia and impressed straight away with figures of 3 for 16. Since then, he has featured in 34 T20 internationals, picking up 37 wickets.
Yeshey’s standout moment came with an extraordinary eight-wicket haul, which remains the best performance of his career and one of the most remarkable spells in T20 cricket history.
Also read: Virat Kohli Vijay Hazare Trophy participation: Return date and opposition revealed
