KATHMANDU: Nepal Police Club successfully defended their Jay Trophy title, defeating Tribhuvan Army Club by four wickets in the final to clinch their second consecutive championship.
Chasing a target of 227 runs set by Army, Police completed the run chase on the third day during the final session, losing six wickets in the process.
For Police, Rashid Khan, who was the player of the match, top-scored with 81 runs, while Kushal Bhurtel contributed a crucial 51.
On the bowling front for Army, Pawan Karki and Shahab Alam claimed two wickets each, while Akash Chand and Bhim Sharki picked up one wicket apiece.
Resuming with a lead of 178 runs at the end of the second day, Army added 48 more runs on the third day, thanks to a 49-run last-wicket partnership between Akash Chand and Shahab Alam.
In reply to Army’s first innings total of 221, Police were also bowled out for 221, leaving the match evenly poised. Army then posted 226 runs in their second innings.
For Army, Akash Chand scored 37 runs, while Kushal Malla added 36 and Shahab Alam contributed 33. Bhim Sharki made 32 runs, while Sompal Kami remained unbeaten on 23. Trit Raj Das scored 20, while Imran Sheikh added 15.
For Police, Sagar Dhakal claimed four wickets, while Karan KC and Lalit Rajbanshi took three wickets each.
Earlier, Police were bowled out for 221 in 61.4 overs in their first innings, matching Army’s identical total. Karan KC was the standout performer with an unbeaten 72 off 109 balls, including two fours and a six. He also shared a vital 62-run partnership for the ninth wicket with Lalit Rajbanshi. Captain Aarif Sheikh scored 44 runs, while Lalit Rajbanshi added 20, Kushal Bhurtel 18, and Dinesh Karel 17.
For Army, Sompal Kami took five wickets, conceding 72 runs in 17 overs. Akash Chand picked up two wickets, while Shahab Alam, Pawan Karki and Naren Saud claimed one wicket each.
Earlier in the match, Army—invited to bat first after losing the toss—scored 221 runs in 58.2 overs in their first innings. Imran Sheikh top-scored with 50 runs, while Bhim Sharki made 39, Kushal Malla 38, Trit Raj Das 32, and Basir Ahmad 30.
For Police, Rashid Khan took four wickets, while Karan KC and Lalit Rajbanshi claimed three wickets each.
Police had also defeated Army in the previous edition’s final to lift the title, making this a back-to-back triumph for the team.
Comment