Jay Trophy
Multi-day cricket tournament in Nepal
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The Jay Trophy (Nepali: जय ट्रफि) is a premier domestic multi day cricket championship played in Nepal. It was organized annually by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN). This tournament featured the top four teams from the Prime Minister Cup.[1]
- League stage: 2-day
- Final: 3-day
Jay Trophy Official logo | |
| Countries | Nepal |
|---|---|
| Administrator | Cricket Association of Nepal |
| Format |
|
| First edition | 2024–25 |
| Tournament format | Round-Robin and Final |
| Number of teams | 4 |
| Current champion | Nepal Police Club |
| Most successful | Nepal Police Club (1 title) |
| Most runs | Mayan Yadav (268) |
| Most wickets | Shahab Alam (33) |
| Website | Official website |
 2025–26 Jay Trophy | |
The inaugural season held at the Shree Ram Janaki International Cricket Stadium in Janakpur and at the Narayani Cricket Ground in Birgunj, Madhesh Province.[2][3]
History
In January 2024, CAN proposed the formerly Men’s Elite Trophy, now known as the Jay Trophy, to introduce a multi-day format for the top teams from the Prime Minister Cup.[4] This initiative aims to provide a higher level of competition and further the development of cricket in Nepal.[5]
Originally proposed for April 2024 in the calendar released in January 2024,[6] this was the second attempt by CAN to introduce domestic multi-day cricket following the June 2007 staging of the Shikhar Senior Two-Day National League Cricket Tournament.[7] That tournament was cancelled in 2008 following the completion of only 7 of the planned 15 matches in the 2007 edition.[8]
Later, in August 2024, the tournament was proposed to be held in the final week of October 2024.[9] This date too was missed and in December 2024 the final tournament fixtures were released for the tournament to be held in January 2025.[10]
The Jay Trophy holds a unique position in Nepal’s cricket history, symbolizing the country’s passion for the sport and its commitment to nurturing players for the international stage. Named in honor of Mr. Jai Kumar Nath Shah, the first president of CAN, this tournament has been instrumental in promoting cricket since its inception in 1979.[11]
The inaugural edition of the Men's Elite Trophy included the top four teams from the 2024 Prime Minister Cup.[12]
Tournament format
The Jay Trophy is contested in a multi-day format. The tournament featured a round-robin structure, played as two-day matches during the preliminary stage, with the top four teams from the Prime Minister Cup qualifying for the competition. The best two teams on the points table will compete in a three-day final.[13][14]
Tournament rules
1. Match Duration: - Each match in the round-robin stage will be played over two days. - The final will be a three-day match.
2. First Innings Lead: - If both teams fail to complete their innings in the given time, the team with a higher score will be considered as taking the lead.
3. Points System: - A win will award 6 points. - A tie will award 3 points to each team. - The first-innings lead in a drawn match will provide 2 points. - Teams scoring fewer first-innings runs in a draw will receive 0 points.
4. Follow-On Rule: - If the team batting first gains a lead of 75 or more runs in a two-day match, it can enforce the follow-on. - For the final (three-day match), the follow-on margin is set at 100 runs.
5. Minimum Overs Per Day: - Each day will consist of a minimum of 90 overs unless conditions (such as weather or light) disrupt play.
6. Tiebreaker Rules: - In case teams are tied on points in the group stage, the net run rate (NRR) will decide the standings. - If the final ends in a tie, the trophy will be shared.
Teams
| Team | Champions | Runners-up | Appearances | First appearance |
Most recent appearance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nepal APF Club | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2025–26 | 2025–26 | |
| Bagmati Province | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2024–25 | 2025–26 | |
| Madhesh Province | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2024–25 | 2024–25 | |
| Nepal Police Club | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2024–25 | 2025–26 | |
| Tribhuwan Army Club | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2024–25 | 2025–26 | |
Tournament records
- As of 25 February 2026
| Team records | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Most trophy wins | 1 | Nepal Police Club | |
| Highest team score | 352/7d | Tribhuwan Army Club v Bagmati Province | 2025–26 |
| Lowest team score | 74 | Tribhuwan Army Club v Nepal Police Club | 2024–25 |
| Individual match records | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highest individual innings | 106 | Mayan Yadav | Madhesh Province v Bagmati Province | 2024–25 |
| Best innings bowling | 8/59 | Shahab Alam | Tribhuwan Army Club v Nepal Police Club | 2024–25 |
| Best match bowling | 12/112 | Shahab Alam | Tribhuwan Army Club v Nepal Police Club | 2024–25 |
- Source: Records extracted from ESPNcricinfo[15]
Winners
The following teams have won the tournament:[16]
| Season | Winner | Runner-up | Winning Captain | Final venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | Nepal Police Club | Tribhuwan Army Club | Aarif Sheikh | Narayani Cricket Ground, Birgunj |
| 2025–26 | Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur | |||