KATHMANDU: Nepal Police Club pulled off a comfortable six wicket victory over Tribhuvan Army Club to defend the CAN Prime Minister Cup One-day National Cricket Tournament at the Siddharth Cricket Stadium in Bhairahawa.

The last two editions champion Police, also the joint winners in the first edition in 2017 and third in 2019, bowled out Army for a low total of 154 runs in 43 overs chased the target in 25.2 overs scoring 157-4.

Sent to bat first, Army top half batters failed and were struggling at 25-5. Batting at number seven Basir Ahamad anchored the innings with an unbeaten 86 off 104. He struck nine hits to the fences and a six. He also shared a 77-run stand for the sixth wicket with captain Binod Bhandari who contributed 29 off 58, that included three hits to the fences. 

Bibek Yadav was the other batter who managed to touch double digit scoring 11 runs. 

Pacer Karan KC and Sagar Dhakal clinched three wickets each with the former removing top three bowlers to create momentum for Police. Also the player-of-the-match KC conceded 30 runs in his 7 over spell that included a maiden over. Left arm bowler Sagar gave away 29 runs in his eight-over bowling. Police captain Dipendra Airee returned with impressive figures of 10-2-28-2. 

In the run chase, the top order batters made light work of Police with opener Kushal Bhurtel smashing 61 runs off 70. Bhurtel shared a 77-run stand for the first wicket with Amit Shrestha who contributed 39 runs from 38 deliveries. 

Kushal cracked seven boundaries and three maximums before Bibek Yadav caught him in Shahab Alam delivery. Amit hit two boundaries and three sixes before Naren Saud made him caught by Sompal Kami. Dilip Nath remained not out on 31 runs off 24. 

Army bowler Alam grabbed three wickets in his 10-over bowling giving away 51 runs. 

Police bowler Lalit Rajbanshi was named the player-of-the-series.