By Sachit Subba • Cricket • Feb 24, 2026 16:11 PM • 30 views
KIRTIPUR – In a commanding display of all-round cricket, Nepal Police Club (NPC) secured a resounding 9-wicket victory over departmental rivals APF Club in their opening match of the Jai Trophy Men’s Elite Cup at the TU Cricket Stadium.
The two-day format highlighted Police Club’s depth, as they outclassed APF in every department to claim bragging rights in this high-stakes encounter.
Clinical Run Chase
Chasing a target of 113 in the final innings, the Police Club batters wasted no time. Opening sensation Kushal Bhurtel turned the chase into a highlight reel, smashing a blistering 71 runs off just 53 balls. His aggressive approach took the game away from APF within the first hour. Accompanied by a steady Amit Shrestha (32)*, Bhurtel ensured the target was reached in just 16.4 overs with the loss of only one wicket.
The Turning Point: First Innings Lead
The foundation of this victory was laid during the first innings. After APF posted a modest 185, Police Club responded with a declared total of 277/7.
Shankar Rana was the star of the show, anchoring the innings with a brilliant unbeaten 105.
Dilshad Ali provided crucial support with a well-made 58.
The declaration gave the Police a vital 92-run lead, putting immense pressure on APF heading into day two.
Bowling Masterclass
Despite a fighting 94 from APF’s Deepak Bohara and a gritty 32 from Amar Routela in their second innings, the APF lineup crumbled against the spin duo of Lalit Rajbanshi and Kushal Bhurtel.
Rajbanshi was clinical, picking up 5 wickets in the second innings to dismantle the middle order. Bhurtel complemented his batting heroics by chipping in with 3 wickets, restricting APF to 204 and setting up the manageable chase for the Police.
Player of the Match: Lalit Rajbanshi, for his exceptional match haul of 9 wickets across both innings.
Elsewhere in the Tournament
In another fixture held at Mulpani, the match between Tribhuvan Army Club and Bagmati Province ended in a stalemate. Both sides fought to a draw as time expired, leaving them to share the points in a much tighter contest than the blowout at Kirtipur.
