Army tighten grip on day 1 in Jay Trophy final

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Mar. 18: The title clash for the Jay Trophy Men’s Elite Cup began at Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground on Tuesday, with Tribhuwan Army Club taking the upper hand on Day One.

Army were dismissed for 221 in their first innings, before defending champions Nepal Police Club faltered in reply, closing the day on 41 for three. 

Opener Dinesh Kharel was unbeaten on 11 from 33 balls, while Rashid Khan was three not out trailing by 180 runs at stumps.

Army pacer Sompal Kami struck twice to put Police on the back foot, removing opener Amit Shrestha for one in the third over and Kushal Bhurtel in the fifth. 

Bhurtel had made a brisk 18 off 12 balls, including four boundaries. Aakash Chand (1) was caught by Bhandari off Dilsad Ali in the eighth over.

Having been invited to bat first, Army made a solid start through a patient knock from Imran Sheikh. 

The opener reached a half‑century from 137 balls before being trapped leg before by Karan KC in the 44th over, leaving Army 153 for four.

Trit Raj Das added 32 off 34, Bhim Sharki 39 off 49, Basir Ahamad 30 off 35, Kushal Malla 38 off 48 and Kami 17 off 21. 

After Das fell early, Sheikh and Sharki shared a 69‑run stand for the second wicket. Sharki departed with the score at 105 for two, before Binod Bhandari contributed nine. 

Army were 124 for three at tea, with Sheikh and Ahamad taking the total to 153 before Sheikh fell as the fourth wicket. He completed his fifty off 135 balls with five boundaries and a six.

Ahamad was out with the score on 169 for five, and Malla and Kami carried Army to 197 for five at the second drinks break. 

But Kami’s dismissal at 199 sparked a collapse, as Army lost four wickets for 22 runs. 

Police’s Rashid Khan removed Kami, then bowled Naren Saud and Pawan Karki for ducks to complete a hat‑trick, before dismissing Shahab Alam for nought in the 56th over. Malla was the last man out. 

Khan finished with figures of 4 for 14.

Lalit Rajbanshi and Karan KC combined to take six wickets between them, KC claiming three for 49 and Rajbanshi three for 45.