Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepal Police Club (NPC) secured a 95-run lead over Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) by the end of Day 2 in the final of the Jay Trophy Men’s Elite Cup 2024, held in Birgunj on Wednesday.
After declaring its first innings at 133/9, NPC restricted TAC to 170 runs, trailing by 37 runs in the first innings.
Bhim Sharki anchored TAC’s innings with a 55-ball 58 after openers Imran Sheikh and Trit Raj Das fell for 10 and 8, respectively, and No. 3 batter Santosh Karki was out for a duck. He found support from Basir Ahmad, Captain Binod Bhandari, and Sompal Kami, who scored 40, 14, and 32, respectively, at the other end. However, TAC could not build a substantial lead as its tailenders fell cheaply, with the last three wickets adding just seven runs to the total.
Sagar Dhakal took five wickets to ensure that TAC did not secure a significant lead. Kushal Bhurtel delivered another all-round performance, claiming three wickets in his four-over spell. Lalit Rajbanshi and Gulshan Jha took one wicket each.
In its second innings, openers provided a steady start to NPC. Kushal Bhurtel impressed with a stylish 45 off 67 balls, while fellow opener Amit Shrestha contributed 13. Despite losing Arjun Saud cheaply for 6, Dilip Nath anchored the innings with 34 off 62 balls. However, NPC struggled to maintain momentum as Captain Aarif Sheikh fell for 5, while Shankar Rana and Sarwan Yadav were dismissed without scoring. Gulshan Jha managed only 4, and Rashid Khan added 18 valuable runs. NPC’s last pair was at the crease, with Sagar Dhakal unbeaten on 1 and Lalit Rajbanshi yet to score, when umpires called the with NPC at 132/9 stumps on Wednesday.
Shahab Alam continued his excellent form in the series with yet another five-wicket haul. He conceded 70 runs in 23 overs, including three maidens. Basir Ahmad bowled six maidens in his 21-over spell, claiming four wickets for 47 runs.
