Police Club Defends Jay Trophy Title with Half-Centuries by Rashid Khan and Bhurtel

March 19, Kathmandu – Nepal Police Club has successfully defended its Jay Trophy cricket title by defeating Tribhuvan Army Club by 4 wickets in the final, securing the championship for the second consecutive time.

Chasing a target of 227 runs set by Army, Police reached the target by the third session on the third day, losing 6 wickets. Rashid Khan led the charge with a top score of 81 runs, while Kushal Bhurtel contributed 51 runs.

For Army, Pawan Karki and Shahab Alam claimed 2 wickets each, while Akash Chand and Bhim Sarki took one wicket apiece.

By the end of the second day, Army held a lead of 178 runs, adding another 48 runs on the third day to extend their total. Akash Chand had been in a 49-run partnership for the last wicket.

Army posted 221 runs in their first innings, a total matched by Police, who were also dismissed for 221 in their first innings before starting their second innings. Army then posted 226 runs in their second innings before being all out.

Key contributions for Army included Akash Chand’s 37 runs, along with 36 by Kushal Malla, 33 by Shahab Alam, and 32 by Bhim Sarki. Sompal Kami remained unbeaten with 23 runs, Tritraj Das added 20, and Imran Sheikh scored 15, while Akash Chand remained not out on 15 runs.

Sagar Dhakal took 4 wickets for Police, while Karan KC and Lalit Rajwanshi claimed 3 wickets each.

In their first innings, Police batted 61.4 overs to score 221 runs before all out. Since Army posted the same score in their first innings, there was no lead gained.

Batting at number nine, Karan KC led Police’s efforts with an unbeaten 72 runs from 109 balls, hitting 2 fours and 1 six. He shared a 62-run partnership with Lalit Rajwanshi for the ninth wicket. Captain Arif Sheikh contributed 44 runs, Lalit Rajwanshi added 20, Kushal Bhurtel scored 18, and Dinesh Kharel made 17 runs.

Army’s Sompal Kami took 5 wickets conceding 72 runs over 17 overs, while Akash Chand picked up 2 wickets. Shahab Alam, Pawan Karki, and Naren Saud took one wicket each.

Army won the toss and opted to bat first, scoring 221 runs in 58.2 overs during their first innings. Their opener Imran Sheikh made the top score of 50 runs. Bhim Sarki scored 39, Kushal Malla 38, Tritraj Das 32, and Basir Ahmad contributed 30 runs.

For Police, Rashid Khan took 4 wickets, while Karan KC and Lalit Rajwanshi took 3 wickets apiece.

Police had also defeated Tribhuvan Army Club in the final of the previous edition, winning the title then as well.