Kathmandu: Departmental side Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) outplayed Madhesh Province with bat and bowl on Day 1 as the home team trail by 121 runs at stumps in the Jay Trophy Men’s Men’s Elite Cup, a two-day tournament, at the Narayani Cricket Ground in Birgunj. 

Put into bat first, TAC posted 225/9 in 59.3 overs before declaring their innings backed by half centuries from Bhim Sharki and Basir Ahamad, the middle order batters. Sharki scored 93-ball 52 before teenage spinner Ranjit Kumar made him caught by Harishankar Shah. 

Ahamad was the top scorer for TAC clobbering 67 runs off 98 studded with seven hits to the fences. He was caught by Shahil Patel off Shah. Opener Imran Sheikh was the only other TAC player to make remarkable contributions with the bat scoring 42 runs off 75. None other Army batters managed to touch double digit figures. 

The 19-year-old Kumar was the pick of bowling for Madhesh returning with figures of 16.3-3-44-5 and Pradip Paswan grabbed two wickets.

In reply, Madhesh Province faltered under pressure and were bowled out for a paltry 102 in just 35.5 overs facing a deficit of 123 runs. The batting unit never really settled, with top order batters including openers Shailendra Shah (0), Mayan Yadav (11) and Niraj Yadav (8) departing cheaply. 

Madhesh captain Harishankar Shah made a contribution of 31 runs off 43 deliveries that included four boundaries. Alam made him caught by Imran Sheikh.  

Army spinner Shahab Alam shone with the ball claiming six wickets in his 12-over bowling that also included five maiden overs. He conceded 37 runs. 

Facing a big deficit, Madhesh began their second innings cautiously after being imposed a follow on. At stumps they managed to score 2 runs without losing a wicket in 1 over. Openers Himanshu Dutta and Mayan Yadav were at the crease, with Dutta on 2 and Yadav yet to open his account.

Tough Day Awaits Madhesh

Madhesh Province will need a determined effort from their batsmen on Day 2 to stay in contention. With key players such as Harishankar Shah (captain) and Shailendra Sah yet to bat, much rests on their shoulders to stabilize the innings and reduce the deficit.

Meanwhile, TAC will be looking to continue with their advantage and secure an early victory. The match promises to be an exciting contest on Day 2, with Madhesh battling to stay alive and TAC striving to maintain their dominance.

TAC played draw in their first two matches against Nepal Police Club and Bagmati Province respectively.