SATV, Kathmandu, Feb.25 - Defending champions Nepal Police Club revived their Jay Trophy campaign with a nine-wicket victory over Nepal APF Club, while Tribhuvan Army Club and Bagmati Province settled for a draw on Tuesday.

The win keeps Police in contention for the final. They now sit second in the standings, behind leaders APF. Army are third, with Bagmati at the bottom.

At TU Cricket Ground, Lalit Rajbanshi produced a match-winning performance, claiming nine wickets across both innings to secure Police’s first victory of the tournament. Holders Police had lost their opening match to Army by nine wickets.

After APF set a lead of 112 runs in their second innings, Police chased down the target of 113 with ease, losing only one wicket. Kushal Bhurtel starred with an unbeaten 71, while Amit Shrestha remained not out on 32. Sohail Kunwar contributed seven before falling to APF’s Bhuvan Karki.

Earlier, APF, trailing by 92 runs, were bowled out for 204 in their second innings, thanks largely to Deepak Bohara’s 94. Amar Singh Routela added 31, Asif Sheikh 21, and Irshad Ahmed remained unbeaten on 20.

In the first innings, APF had been dismissed for 185 in 63.4 overs after losing the toss. Police replied with 277 in 69.5 overs, declaring with a 92-run lead. Shankar Rana carried his bat for an unbeaten century of 105, while Dilsad Ali made 58, Shrestha 41, Rashid Khan 30, and opener Bhurtel 22. APF’s wickets were shared among Irshad Ahmad, Abhishesh Gautam, Bhuvan Karki, Yuvraj Khatri, Amar Routela and Sundeep Jora, who each claimed one.

Bagmati and Army Draw at Mulpani

At Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground, Bagmati Province and Tribhuvan Army Club played out a draw after neither side managed to force a result by the close of play.

Bagmati, having set a lead of 117 runs in their second innings, declared at 210 for three. Army, chasing 118 late in the third session, reached 39 for four in five overs before stumps.

Army’s opener Tritraj Das made 16, Bhim Sharki 11, and Kushal Malla fell for nine. For Bagmati, Sandeep Lamichhane claimed three wickets and Bipin Acharya one.

Bagmati’s second innings was built on Ashutosh Ghiraiya’s 76 and Rit Gautam’s 56, with Ishan Pandey unbeaten on 41 and Uttam Magar not out on 13. Army’s Basir Ahmed took two wickets, while Pawan Karki added one.

In the first innings, Bagmati, invited to bat after losing the toss, declared at 259 for seven. Army responded strongly, declaring their first innings at 352 for seven in 69.3 overs. 

Bhim Sharki top-scored with 74, Saud added 66, and captain Binod Bhandari made 40. Bagmati’s Rijan Dhakal and Lamichhane picked up two wickets each, while Acharya and Pandey took one apiece.