Bhutan vs Bahrain, 4th T20I

As the 4th T20I between Bhutan and Bahrain kicks off at the scenic Gelephu International Cricket Ground, both teams come in with plenty to prove in this Bahrain tour of Bhutan, 2025. Bhutan has leveraged its home advantage effectively so far, showcasing a balanced lineup with aggressive batting at the top order combined with disciplined bowling. Their recent form includes a mix of competitive wins and narrow losses, reflecting growing consistency but also room for improvement in death overs. Bahrain, on the other hand, has displayed strong fighting spirit despite playing away from home. Their key performers have stepped up in crucial moments, especially in the middle overs. Head-to-head records between these two teams reveal a fairly even contest, adding intensity to this fourth match since the series is still open. The strategic focus for Bhutan will be on exploiting familiar pitch conditions, relying on their spinners and power-hitters to post or chase competitive totals. Bahrain’s strategy is likely to revolve around tight bowling, particularly aiming to curb Bhutan’s aggressive starters, and building momentum through partnerships. Both teams have impactful all-rounders who can change the course of the match, making adaptability and middle-order stability critical. Given the evenly poised nature of the series and conditions favoring balanced cricket, the winning probabilities tilt slightly towards Bhutan due to familiarity with pitch and weather.

Bhutan: 54%, Bahrain: 46%

If Bhutan bats first on the Gelephu International Cricket Ground, they are expected to put up a competitive total in the range of 155-165 runs, thanks to their in-form top order and utilization of powerplay overs. The pitch, slightly on the slower side, will allow spinners to have an impact, which Bhutan's batting lineup can negotiate effectively given their experience on home soil. Conversely, if Bahrain takes first strike, their total may hover around 150-160 runs. Bahrain's batting shows resilience but occasionally lacks sustained acceleration in the slog overs. However, their ability to build steady partnerships means this target is well within reach for Bhutan when chasing, who excel in pacing their innings based on the scenario.

The Gelephu International Cricket Ground is known for a slow to medium-paced pitch with significant assistance for spinners as the game progresses. Historically, the average first-innings score here in T20 matches is around 155 runs. Teams batting first have won approximately 55% of the matches, while chasing sides enjoy a 45% success rate, suggesting a balanced surface that requires smart game plans. Weather conditions on December 12 are expected to be clear with temperatures around 20°C, offering ideal conditions for cricket with little chance of rain disruptions. Dew factor may come into play during the second innings, favoring the chasing team slightly. Bhutan's best performer on this ground is Jigme Dorji, who has scored a high of 74* in previous matches, while Bahrain’s standout bowler here has been Ali Rizwan, with figures of 4/23 in a T20 match at Gelephu. These individual records highlight players who could be match-winners on this venue.

Matches Played	Bhutan Wins	Bahrain Wins
6	3	3

Team Recent Performance

Team	Last 5 Matches
Bhutan	W, L, W, L, W
Bahrain	L, W, L, W, W

Jigme Dorji (Bhutan): Has been in stellar batting form recently, anchoring the innings with consistent 30+ scores and an unbeaten 74 at Gelephu previously.

Sangay Wangchuk (Bhutan): A swing bowler who’s been effective in controlling the run rate in powerplays and taking early wickets.

Thinley Namgyel (Bhutan): Hard-hitting middle-order batter known for quickfire 20+ runs to accelerate the innings towards the end.

Ali Rizwan (Bahrain): Leading fast bowler with 4/23 at this ground; key in restricting Bhutan’s top order and getting early breakthroughs.

Fahad Al Hassan (Bahrain): Reliable middle-order batsman who recently scored a match-winning 48 to stabilize innings.

Mohammed Imran (Bahrain): All-rounder offering crucial breakthroughs with ball and quickfire runs in the lower order.