Tribhuvan Army Club enters Jay Trophy final

KATHMANDU: Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) has entered the final of the Jay Trophy Men’s Elite Cup-2024, winning its last league-round match against Madhesh Province in Birgunj by eight wickets.

Batting first in the two-day match, TAC declared at 225 for the loss of nine wickets and forced Madhesh into a follow-on by bundling them out for 102 runs. Madhesh was all out for 150 runs in the second innings, with a lead of just 27 runs. TAC achieved the target, losing two wickets in six overs.

Bhim Sharki and Basir Ahamad scored half-centuries, and opener Imran Sheikh added 42 runs as TAC raced to 225 runs in 59.3 overs out of the allotted 60 overs. Other TAC batters failed to reach double digits.

Ranjit Kumar took five wickets for Madhesh Province, while Pradip Paswan claimed two, and Abhisekh Tiwari and Harishankar Shah had a wicket each to their names.

Madhesh made a disappointing start in the chase, as none of their batters could handle TAC bowlers. Captain Harishankar Shah top-scored for his side with a 43-ball 31. Abhisekh Tiwari added 13 runs, Mayan Yadav scored 11, and Pradip Paswan contributed 10 runs as Madhesh was all out for 102 runs in the first innings.

Shahab Alam claimed six wickets for TAC, while Sompal Kami, Aakash Chand, Basir Ahamad, and Pawan Karki took one wicket each.

Madhesh Province scored 150 runs in the second innings to take a 27-run lead. Mayan Yadav scored 49, while Captain Harishankar Shah added 25. Abhisekh Tiwari and Niraj Yadav contributed 19 and 17 runs, respectively. Himanshu Dutta scored 11 runs. Other Madhesh batters failed to reach double digits.

Shahab Alam continued his fine form with the ball, claiming three wickets in the second innings. Basir Ahamad secured four wickets, while Akash Chand contributed two wickets.

Trit Raj Das scored a run-a-ball 13, and Imran Sheikh remained unbeaten with 8 runs from 19 balls as TAC chased down the target of 28 runs in six overs.

TAC will meet the Nepal Police Club (NPC) in the final to be played in the three-day format in Birgunj on Tuesday.

In the other match in Janakpur, NPC defeated Bagmati Province by five wickets.