Bhurtel fifty helps NPC build 45-run lead against Madhesh in Jay Trophy

KATHMANDU: Nepal Police Club (NPC) has taken a 45-run lead against Madhesh Province on the first day of their Jay Trophy Men’s Elite Cup 2024 match in Birgunj on Wednesday.

Fielding first, NPC bowled out Madhesh for just 129 runs in 42.4 overs and reached 174/3 in 40 overs when the umpires called stumps.

Mayan Yadav, who scored a century in Madhesh Province’s first match, continued his fine form, scoring 59 off 102 balls. He, however, failed to get support from the other end. Niraj Yadav and Himanshu Dutta scored 29 and 17 for Madhesh. Other Madhesh batters failed to reach double digits.

Gulsan Jha picked five wickets for NPC, while Kushal Bhurtel claimed two, and Sarwan Yadav and Lalit Rajbanshi took a wicket each.

After restricting Madhesh to a low total, NPC added 96 for the first wicket. Kushal Bhurtel played a magnificent knock of 63 off 68 balls, while Dilip Nath scored 40 off 79 balls. Gulsan Jha scored 20 off 14 balls. Amit Shrestha and Captain Aarif Sheikh are on the crease for NPC, scoring 34 and 13 runs, respectively.

Harishankar Sah claimed two wickets for Madhesh, while Abhishek Tiwari claimed one.