Bhim Sharki’s blistering century puts Army Club in command in Jay Trophy Opener

KIRTIPUR - The second edition of the Jay Trophy, Nepal's premier multi-day domestic tournament, commenced on Friday at the TU International Cricket Stadium, highlighted by a sensational century from Tribhuvan Army Club's Bhim Sharki. His heroics propelled the Army to a commanding 47-run first-innings lead over the defending champions, Nepal Police Club.

At stumps on Day 1, the Nepal Police Club trailed by 24 runs in their second innings, positioned at 23/1 after 7 overs, with Kushal Bhurtel (12*) and Shankar Rana (7*) at the crease following the early dismissal of Amit Shrestha.

Police Falter Early Before Declaring at 187/8

Earlier in the day, Army skipper Binod Bhandari won the toss and elected to field, a decision that quickly paid dividends. The Police top order was suffocated by a disciplined pace attack led by Aakash Chand and Pawan Karki. Despite starts from skipper Aarif Sheikh (36) and Rashid Khan (38), the Police lineup could not build substantial partnerships against the relentless Army bowlers and ultimately opted to declare at 187/8 in 53.3 overs.
Pawan Karki was the pick of the bowlers for Army, claiming 4 wickets, while Naren Saud secured the prized wicket of opener Kushal Bhurtel (30) lbw.

Sharki Anchors Army’s Resurgence

Tribhuvan Army Club’s response got off to a rocky start, largely due to a brilliant spell from Police spinner Sagar Dhakal, who eventually bagged a 6-wicket haul. Army was reeling at 150/7 in 30 overs, with key players—including Bhandari and Kushal Malla—falling rapidly.

However, Bhim Sharki single-handedly anchored the innings, launching a remarkable counter-attack to keep his team in the game. Sharki reached his half-century in 58 deliveries and accelerated to his century in just 49 more balls. He finished unbeaten on 105 off 113 balls, becoming only the second player in history to score a century in the Jay Trophy. Supported by vital late contributions from Naren Saud (31) and Pawan Karki (37), Army declared at 234/9 in 40 overs, ensuring a crucial first-innings advantage.

Bagmati Trails APF in Mulpani Encounter

In another Jay Trophy fixture at the Mulpani Cricket Ground, Bagmati Province trails Nepal APF Club by 31 runs at the close of Day 1. After declaring their first innings at 207/9 on the back of lower-order resilience, Bagmati watched APF’s star pair of skipper Rohit Kumar Paudel (87*) and Sundeep Jora (61) forge a 92-run stand. APF was eventually bundled out for 169 in 49.2 overs. Bagmati lost an early wicket in their second innings, reaching 1/1 at stumps.