By Sachit Subba • Cricket • Feb 21, 2026 13:10 PM • 33 views
KATHMANDU – It was a day of departmental dominance in the Jai Trophy Men’s Elite Cup Two-Day Cricket tournament, as both Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) and Armed Police Force (APF) Club registered emphatic victories to shake up the points table. While the Army dismantled the defending champions in Kirtipur, APF relied on their international stars to chase down a tricky total at Mulpani.
Army Topples Defending Champions Police in Clinical Display
At the TU Cricket Stadium, Tribhuvan Army Club delivered a statement win, crushing defending champions Nepal Police Club (NPC) by 9 wickets.
The foundation was laid by a masterclass from Bhim Sharki, whose unbeaten 105 off 113 balls powered Army to a first-innings total of 234/9 (declared). This gave them a crucial 47-run lead despite a valiant 6-wicket haul from Police spinner Sagar Dhakal.
The pressure proved too much for the champions in their second outing. Aside from Kushal Bhurtel’s fighting 48, the Police batting lineup collapsed for a meagre 88 runs. Basir Ahmad (4 wickets) and Kushal Malla (3 wickets) tore through the middle order, leaving Army with a tiny target of 42. Malla then swapped the ball for the bat, smashing an unbeaten 42 to seal the game.
The Fallout: Army secures 24 points, while the defending champions leave with a disappointing 10.
Paudel and Sheikh Lead APF to Victory Over Bagmati
Meanwhile, at the Mulpani Cricket Ground, APF Club overcame a spirited Bagmati Province by 8 wickets, thanks to a clinical chase orchestrated by national team mainstays Rohit Paudel and Aasif Sheikh.
Bagmati, trailing by 31 runs after the first innings, put up a fight in their second turn at the crease. Captain Ishan Pandey led from the front with a blistering 84 runs (including 12 fours and 2 sixes), setting APF a target of 137. Irshad Ahmed was the pick of the APF bowlers, claiming a 5-wicket haul to add to his three from the first innings.
The chase was a professional affair. After the early loss of Deepak Bohora (12), Aasif Sheikh (59) and Rohit Paudel (56*) put on a batting clinic. Paudel, who also remained unbeaten with 87 in the first innings, was the undisputed Player of the Match.
The Standings: APF bags a massive 26.5 points, while Bagmati takes 12 points for their efforts.
