Karan KC produced a spirited lower-order rescue for Nepal Police Club, but Tribhuvan Army Club still finished Day 2 with the advantage after extending their overall lead to 178 runs in the Jay Trophy Men's Elite Cup final at Mulpani Cricket Ground on March 18, 2026.
Resuming from 41 for 3, Police were in deep trouble when Sompal Kami tore through the innings with 5 for 72. Aarif Sheikh offered resistance with 44, but the innings was on the verge of collapsing completely at 122 for 8 before Karan launched a counterattack from No. 8. He struck 72 not out off 109 balls, including seven fours and two sixes, and added valuable runs with Lalit Rajbanshi, who made 20, to pull Police level with Army's first-innings 221.
That recovery prevented Army from taking a first-innings lead, but they responded steadily in their second innings. Bhim Sharki made 32, Kushal Malla added 36, and Shahab Alam's brisk 33 helped Army push ahead despite regular wickets. At 130 for 8, Police had briefly threatened to seize control, but Aakash Chand's unbeaten 15 and late support from Sompal ensured Army reached 178 for 9 in 52 overs by stumps.
Police shared the wickets around effectively in the final session. Karan KC, Lalit Rajbanshi and Sagar Dhakal claimed three wickets each, with Sagar's 3 for 40 standing out for its control, but they could not quite force the final breakthrough before the close.
With Army leading by 178 runs and one wicket still in hand, the final remains alive heading into Day 3. Police will aim to finish off the innings quickly in the morning, but Army's bowlers have already shown across the first two days that even a modest fourth-innings target could be tricky.
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