NPC defeat TAC by four wickets, retain Jay Trophy title

Himal Press 19 Mar 2026

NPC defeat TAC by four wickets, retain Jay Trophy title

KATHMANDU: Nepal Police Club (NPC) has retained the title of the Jay Trophy Men’s Elite Cup—a premier three-day red ball tournament, defeating Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) by four wickets in the final held at the Mulpani Cricket Ground in Kathmandu on Thursday.

Chasing the target of 227 runs given by the TAC on the third of the final, NPC secured victory with four wickets in hand.

Batting first, TAC posted 221 runs in the first innings. In reply, NPC were 41-3 at stumps on the opening day. NPC also scored 221 runs in the first innings, thanks to Karan KC’s fighting 72* off 109 balls.

TAC, who had scored 221 in their first innings, were 178-9 in their second innings. A crucial last-wicket partnership between Sompal Kami and Akash Chand helped TAC reach 227 on the third day and give NPC a target of 227 runs.

Sagar Dhakal picked up four wickets, while Karan KC and Lailt Rajbanshi claimed three wickets each to bundle out TAC to a relatively low score in the second innings.

NPC chased down the target in 56.4 overs. Rashid Khan top-scored for the NPC with 81 runs, while Kushal Bhurtel contributed 51. Dilsad Ali remained unbeaten on 31, and Dinesh Kharel added 25 runs.

Shahab Alam and Pawan Karki claimed two wickets each for TAC, while Bhim Sharki and Akash Chand picked up one each.

The Jay Trophy featured four teams—Bagmati Province, NPC, TAC, and Nepal APF Club—which finished in the top four positions in the 2025 PM Cup. Teams played each other once in a round-robin format, with the top two advancing to the final.

TAC had entered the final as table toppers, winning one match and drawing two, while NPC progressed as runners-up with two wins and one loss. Nepal APF Club registered one win, one loss, and one draw, while Bagmati Province lost two matches and drew one.

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