Nepal Police Club wins PM’s Cup Men’s National Cricket Championship

KATHMANDU: Nepal Police Club has won the Prime Minister’s Cup Men’s National Cricket Championship, defeating Tribhuvan Army Club by six wickets in today’s final.

Chasing a target of 155 runs, Nepal Police completed the chase in 25.2 overs, losing four wickets in the process.

Openers Kushal Bhurtel played a key role, scoring 61 runs off 70 balls, including seven fours and three sixes. Amit Shrestha contributed 39 runs, while Dilip Nath remained unbeaten on 31 runs.

For the Army, Shahab Alam took three wickets, and Naren Saud claimed one.

Earlier, in Bhairahawa at the Siddhartha Cricket Ground, Army, who batted first after losing the toss, managed to score 154 runs, losing all their wickets in 43 overs.

Army’s innings faltered early, losing five wickets for just 25 runs. However, a solid 75-run partnership between captain Binod Bhandari and Basir Ahmad rescued the innings.

Basir Ahmad top-scored with 86 runs off 104 balls, hitting nine fours and one six, while captain Bhandari added 29 runs. Vivek Yadav scored 11 runs, but no other batsman reached double figures.

In response, Nepal Police bowled brilliantly to dismiss Army cheaply. Karan KC was the standout bowler for Police, claiming three wickets for 30 runs from seven overs, including one maiden. Sagar Dhakal also took three wickets for 29 runs off eight overs.

Captain Dipendra Singh Airee took two wickets, while Lalit Rajwanshi and Gulshan Jhaled took one wicket each.

This edition of the Prime Minister’s Cup saw 46 matches played across three venues: the Siddhartha Cricket Ground in Rupandehi, the Exstratek Oval Cricket Ground in Tilottama, and the Deukhuri International Cricket Ground in Dang.

Teams from all seven provinces, along with departmental teams from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force, participated in the competition.