Bhutan left-arm spinner Sonam Yeshey etched his name into cricket history on December 26, 2025, by becoming the first bowler ever to claim eight wickets in a men's T20 International match. In the third T20I of the five-match series against Myanmar at the Gelephu Mindfulness City ground, the 22-year-old delivered a devastating spell of 8 for 7 in his full four overs, including a maiden, as Myanmar were bundled out for a mere 45 runs while chasing Bhutan's modest total of 127 for 9. This performance not only secured an 82-run victory for Bhutan but also shattered previous records, surpassing the best men's T20I figures of 7 for 8 by Malaysia's Syazrul Idrus against China in 2023 and 7 for 19 by Bahrain's Ali Dawood against Bhutan earlier in 2025.

Yeshey's spell proved utterly dominant, dismantling Myanmar's batting lineup after their openers had added a brief 21 runs in the powerplay. He accounted for the majority of the wickets, including seven of the final eight dismissals, maintaining relentless pressure with tight lines, flight, and variations that left the opposition helpless. Bhutan Cricket celebrated the achievement on social media, describing it as "a spell for the ages" and a world record, highlighting the significance of the feat in both international and domestic T20 cricket, where no bowler had previously taken eight wickets in a single innings.

The young spinner, who made his T20I debut against Malaysia in July 2022 with an impressive 3 for 16, has been a consistent force for Bhutan, now boasting 38 wickets in 35 matches. His series haul reached 13 wickets across the five games, underscoring his pivotal role in Bhutan's bowling attack and contributing to their clean-sweep 5-0 series win over Myanmar. As an associate member nation of the ICC, Bhutan's success in emerging cricket circuits continues to grow, with Yeshey's historic performance drawing global attention and showcasing the rising talent from the Himalayan kingdom.

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This unprecedented milestone arrives amid a period of increasing competitiveness in associate-level T20Is, where low-scoring thrillers and individual brilliance can redefine records. Yeshey's achievement not only boosts Bhutan's profile on the international stage but also inspires emerging players in smaller cricket nations, proving that extraordinary feats are possible even in less spotlighted matches. As the cricket world reflects on this landmark, Yeshey's 8 for 7 stands as a benchmark that may prove difficult to surpass in the shortest format.

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