Nepal Police Club clinches PM Cup cricket title

By Our Correspondent,Bhairahawa, Mar. 30: Nepal Police Club emerged victorious in the Prime Minister's Cup Men's National Cricket Tournament, defeating Tribhuvan Army Club by six wickets in today's final.

Chasing a target of 155 runs, Nepal Police reached the target in 25.2 overs, losing four wickets along the way. Opener Kushal Bhurtel top-scored with 61 runs, hitting seven fours and three sixes off 70 balls. Amit Shrestha contributed 39 runs, while Dilipnath remained unbeaten on 31.

Sahab Alam claimed three wickets, and Naren Saud took one for Army.

Army, invited to bat after losing the toss at the Siddhartha Cricket Stadium in Bhairahawa, managed to score 154 runs in 43 overs before losing all their wickets. A key partnership of over 75 runs between captain Binod Bhandari and Wasir Ahmed helped steady the innings, but Army lost five wickets for just 25 runs during the middle stages of their innings.

Bashir Ahmed was the standout performer, scoring 86 runs off 104 balls, including nine fours and a six. Captain Binod Bhandari contributed 29 runs, while Vivek Yadav added 11 runs. No other batsman reached double figures.

In the bowling department, Karan KC was the pick for Nepal Police, taking three wickets for 30 runs in seven overs, including one maiden. Sagar Dhakal also impressed, claiming three wickets for 29 runs in eight overs. Captain Dipendra Singh Airi took two wickets, while Lalit Rajbanshi and Gulshan Jha claimed one wicket each.

This year’s Prime Minister’s Cup Men's National Cricket Tournament featured 46 matches, the first-ever such event held at the Siddhartha Cricket Stadium in Rupandehi, the Extratech Oval Cricket Stadium in Tilottama, and the Deukhuri International Stadium in Lamhima, Dang.

Teams from all seven provinces, as well as departmental teams from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, and the Armed Police Force, participated in the tournament.