Tribhuvan Army Club defeated Lumbini Province by 131 runs in the ongoing Prime Minister’s Cup One-Day Men’s National Cricket Tournament on Sunday. The match, held at the Siddhartha Cricket Stadium in Bhairahawa, saw the departmental team maintaining their strong form as they moved closer to a potential title win.

TAC, electing to bat first, set a target of 244 runs before being bundled out in 49.2 overs. Basir Ahmad, who scored 86 runs off 104 balls, including six boundaries, laid the strong ground for the team’s victory. Ahmad’s performance earned him the Player of the Match award.

Other significant contributions came from Bhim Sharki, who made 44 runs, and opener Tritraj Das, who scored 31. Sompal Kami also contributed with 28 runs. Lumbini’s Ajay Chauhan was the standout bowler, claiming four wickets for 47 runs off 10 overs. Krishna Karki, Nirmal Gurung, Ramesh Kurmi, Bipreshan KC, Nar Bahadur Sarki, and Lumbini’s captain Dev Khanal took one wicket each.

In response, Lumbini’s chase faltered as they were dismissed for just 112 runs in 27.1 overs. Captain Dev Khanal was the top scorer for Lumbini with 37 runs. Manish Thapa and Bipreshan KC added 13 runs each, but the rest of the batting line-up failed to make a significant impact.

Shahab Alam of Army was the standout bowler, taking four wickets for just 25 runs in 9.1 overs, including two maiden overs. Naren Saud also took two wickets, while Sompal Kami, Akash Chand, and Basir Ahmad each claimed one wicket.

With this win, Tribhuvan Army Club have now secured seven victories in the competition and are positioned second in the table with 14 points. They are only behind Nepal Police Club, who are in first place on net run rate. Lumbini, with eight points, remain in fifth place, having won four and lost four of eight matches they played.

Sunday’s victory further solidifies TAC’s position as one of the title contenders in the ongoing tournament.