Tribhuvan Army Club lifted the 2026 Men's PM Cup title after beating Sudurpashchim Province by five wickets in the final at Narayani Cricket Ground, Birgunj on Friday.
Army chased 162 in 34.3 overs to seal the title with 93 balls remaining. Basir Ahamad produced the key all-round performance, taking 2 for 25 and then making 45 off 56 balls to earn Player of the Match. Imran Sheikh then stayed unbeaten on 46 off 82 as Army completed the chase after a middle-order wobble.
Sudurpashchim had chosen to bat first, but Army's bowlers kept them under pressure from the start. They slipped to 57 for 5 and never fully recovered despite useful resistance from Ashok Dhami, who made 43, and Narayan Joshi, who scored 29. Kiran Thagunna added 35, Sudurpashchim were eventually bowled out for 161 in 39.4 overs.
Aakash Chand led Army's attack with 3 for 31, while Shahab Alam also claimed 3 wickets. Basir took 2, and the rest of the bowling unit chipped in to stop Sudur Paschim from building one substantial partnership.
Army's chase did not begin smoothly. They lost Binod Bhandari for 2, Bhim Sharki for 4 and later Trit Raj Das for 31. Kushal Malla added 17, but Sudurpashchim kept fighting and reduced Army to 56 for 4 and then 152 for 5.
That was where Basir and Imran proved decisive. Basir's counterattack pulled Army back into control before Imran and Arjun Saud, who finished unbeaten on 7, took the team home. The result completed a strong all-round final performance from Army, who were the standout side across the competition.
Army's title was built on consistency throughout the tournament. They won eight of their nine league matches, with the only other result a no result against APF, and finished top of the table before beating Sudurpashchim again in the final. Along the way, they defeated Nepal Police, Gandaki, Bagmati, Madhesh, Karnali, Sudurpashchim, Koshi and Lumbini, finishing the campaign unbeaten.
Sudurpashchim had also put together an impressive run to the final. They beat Karnali, Koshi, Lumbini, Gandaki, Bagmati and Nepal Police in the league stage and finished second on the table, but they were unable to overcome Army, who had already beaten them once in the league.
Santosh Yadav of Lumbini Province was named Player of the Series. Arjun Kumal of Gandaki Province finished as Best Batter, Hemant Dhami of Sudur Paschim was named Best Bowler, and Aashik Baitha of Madhesh Province won the Emerging Player award.
